Oman Botanic Garden (OBG) joined botanic gardens and arboreta around the world in marking the first International Day of Botanic Garden Education, observed on 12 June 2026, a global initiative that highlights how botanic gardens connect people with plants and inspire action for conservation and sustainability.
Learning and community engagement from the start
From the outset of its early development and well ahead of its official opening, OBG is delivering learning and awareness activities that connect diverse audiences with Oman’s native flora and habitats through inclusive, hands-on experiences.
OBG is engaging schools, universities, community groups, people with special needs, public and private institutions, as well as researchers and specialist audiences. In 2025, OBG welcomed visits from more than 67 institutions, benefiting over 1,138 participants. In the first half of 2026, engagement reached 70 institutions and 2,147 beneficiaries.
These experiences are supported by OBG’s learning and scientific facilities, including nursery and propagation areas, the herbarium, the seed bank and field-based learning. OBG is strengthening university training through enriched opportunities that build skills in plant identification, habitat understanding, structured observation and applied field methods.
Salha Al Mahrouqi, Senior Outreach and Awareness Administrator, said: “At Oman Botanic Garden, education extends beyond traditional classroom learning. We aim to provide engaging experiences that support school curricula, enrich university programmes and create opportunities for lifelong learning.”
Partnerships and international collaboration
OBG is also supporting researchers from Oman and abroad through facilitated access, field visits and plant samples where appropriate. OBG is collaborating with educational institutions and relevant stakeholders to develop tailored, curriculum-linked content. OBG’s recent membership in Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) supports international knowledge exchange with botanic institutions.
Looking ahead
As OBG moves closer towards opening, it will continue to expand learning pathways, connecting future generations with Oman’s natural heritage and supporting biodiversity protection through education, training and scientific engagement.
About Oman Botanic Garden
Oman Botanic Garden is one of the world’s largest botanic gardens, bringing together Oman’s diverse landscapes, outdoor habitats and native plant species in one destination. Set within a 495-hectare protected site, it showcases 1,457+ native plant species, including 100 endemic species, across eight natural habitats, including two major biomes. Once open, Oman Botanic Garden will welcome visitors through advance bookings and reservations.
