How Botanic Gardens are contributing to Global Plant Conservation
The loss of plant diversity is happening at an extraordinarily fast rate, the urgent need for conservation action has never been so crucial. Botanic Gardens are well-positioned to take on this challenge – they have a large pool of specialist horticultural experts trained in cultivation techniques, and scientific staff equipped with the knowledge and tools to develop genetically representative plant collections.
Dr Darach Lupton at Burtown House
Dr Darach Lupton, Curator of the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland is a trained botanist and gardener with more than 25 years of scientific and practical horticulture experience. In this talk he explores the concept of conservation-horticulture and how botanic garden plant collections and gardeners are so vital in tackling the loss of plant diversity.
Tapping into his national and international experiences Darach looks at how gardening techniques and skills are being used to save some of the world’s rarest and threatened plants.
Admission: €10. The Green Barn Restaurant and Shop is open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch, evening dinner available Friday and Saturday – booking is essential.
Directions: From Dublin/Waterford take Exit 3 on M9 motorway and follow signs for Athy. Take the second left turn and Burtown House is on the left, well signposted.
Type of event: Indoors. Opportunity to view the gardens at Burtown House adults €8, children €4, under 8 free. House tours €10.
About Darach Lupton
Darach Lupton graduated from the School of Horticulture at the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland in 1998; including his placement year at the RHS Garden, Wisley (1996-1997). He then went on to study Botany at Trinity College Dublin, graduating in 2002. He remained at TCD were he completed his PhD. in 2007. From 2007 – 2010 was back at the NBG of Ireland working in the herbarium as research botanist. In early 2011 he moved to the Sultanate of Oman, where for 10-years he managed the department of Botany and Conservation at the Oman Botanic Garden. Darach returned to Dublin in early 2021; he is currently the Curator of the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland.
