Our Mission
Our mission is to cultivate connections between plants, people, and place through science, engagement, and conservation.
As a university-affiliated botanical garden, we accomplish our mission by focusing our work in four areas:
I. We create gardens that demonstrate the beauty and importance of plants, and we encourage the use of native species to support biodiversity.
II. We (re)discover, describe, and document plant biodiversity in the southeastern United States and beyond.
III. We prevent plant extinction, restore ecosystems, and steward natural areas to support biodiversity.
IV. We engage diverse communities through inspirational experiences, learning and wellness opportunities, and mutual exchange, celebrating the richness of our biocultural heritage.
Our Vision
The North Carolina Botanical Garden envisions a world where people appreciate diversity in all its forms and understand that plant biodiversity is essential to life on earth.
The world stands at a critical juncture where the preservation of biodiversity—particularly plant biodiversity—will shape the future for generations to come. Plants are the foundation of ecosystems, supporting countless other species and providing clean air, water, food, and medicine essential to all life. As a garden dedicated to conserving plant diversity, we understand that safeguarding biodiversity is essential for the resilience of natural systems and, by extension, human well-being. We also recognize that diversity of people and perspectives is as vital to our mission as the plants we protect. Just as ecosystems thrive with a diversity of species, our organization and community are made stronger by embracing a diversity of voices, ideas, and experiences. Together, we are cultivating a future where biodiversity and human diversity flourish side by side.
Our Purpose
Our purpose is to safeguard Earth’s biodiversity through a time of great peril, recognizing that this mission is inseparable from the well-being of human communities. We are dedicated to the natural world, honoring its inherent value and its importance for all people, understanding that our actions today shape a shared future for both nature and humanity.
What we mean by
A Conservation Garden
The original concept of the conservation garden was rooted in a commitment to ecological conservation and the support of native biodiversity. Initially, our focus centered on important activities such as cultivating native plants to safeguard wild populations from overharvesting, banking seeds for reintroduction and protection against extinction, and conserving habitats to maintain biological diversity.
Today, we have evolved to embrace a broader mission that emphasizes community engagement and the interconnectedness of people and nature. By inviting individuals to engage in sustainable practices that honor both nature and culture, we celebrate the rich diversity that enhances our shared natural and cultural heritage. This fosters a more inclusive approach to conservation, recognizing the valuable contributions and knowledge of all communities. A Conservation Garden is one that brings together people, plants, and places and reflects that the Garden is a shared space for everyone to engage with nature.
Awards and Accreditations
| Botanic Gardens Conservation International Advanced Conservation Practitioner Accreditation | American Public Gardens Association Excellence in Biodiversity and Conservation |
American Horticultural Society Garden Stewardship Award |
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Our History
The North Carolina Botanical Garden (NCBG) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill share a deep botanical legacy. It began in 1903 when UNC’s first botany professor, William Chambers Coker, planted a teaching collection that became Coker Arboretum. In the late 1920s, Coker and student Henry Roland Totten envisioned a larger botanical garden, and in 1952, the university dedicated 70 acres for its development. An additional 103 acres, featuring rhododendron bluffs along Morgan Creek, was donated by horticulturist William Lanier Hunt.
Dr. C. Ritchie Bell became NCBG’s first director in 1961, and the Garden’s first public offering, the Nature Trails, opened in 1966. The 1970s and 1980s saw an expansion of habitat gardens representing North Carolina’s plant communities, thanks to volunteers and staff led by Ken Moore. Research also expanded with the establishment of the 367-acre Mason Farm Biological Reserve in 1984.
The Garden championed conservation efforts, discouraging wild plant collection in favor of propagating native species. Partnerships, including one with the Center for Plant Conservation, reinforced its role in protecting rare species. Growth continued with the addition of the UNC Herbarium (2000), Battle Park (2004), and a LEED Platinum-rated Visitor Education Center (2009).
Today, NCBG stewards over 1,200 acres and is nationally recognized for its conservation work, native plant studies, and environmental education.
For more, check out The North Carolina Botanical Garden at 50, a comprehensive history compiled in 2016 by the Greenbriers, a dedicated group of volunteers.