Botanical Garden Sopron

1. BGs as living treasuries – maintenance and development of living collections

The botanical garden in Sopron is a National Nature Reserve since 1978. We have approximately 4000 taxa in our garden, of which 1500 are evergreens. Many of them are rare and endangered species. Every year we try to enrich our collections with new plants, in adaptation to the ever-changing climatic conditions.

2. BGs as green laboratories – scientific activities and research infrastructure

There are a number of ongoing experiments and research work in the garden, for example:Development of an environmental monitoring system based on bee colonies; Research on wood’s durability under outdoor conditions

3. BGs as experience-based class-rooms – education activities and infrastructure

We organise events for adults and educational programs for preschoolers and schoolchildren regularly, to putting forward the benefits of science by motivating and engaging them. Since 2012 we have a new visitor center in the garden with interactive games and exhibitions, and also a collection of the most common birds around Europe.

4. BGs as custodians of biodiversity – conservation activities, saving endangered species, gene banking

There are 134 protected, endangered plant species in the garden with important conservation biological significance. These individuals not only serve conservation and research, but also play a major role in education, in order to increase public awareness of the value of biodiversity and conservation needs. Our botanical garden has a registered collection of plant germplasm conservation, with about 2,800 registered plant material.

5. BGs as perpetuators of cultural heritage

Our botanical garden has many cultural heritage sites, including the university buildings from 1898 (planned by famous architects as Ignác Alpár and Oszkár Winkler) and the relief “Cantata Profana” made by Jenő Szervátiusz on the first floor of the main building. In the garden we have a memorial “Őrtüzek“ (fires) remembering on the legendary actions in 1921.

6. BGs as eco-attractions – recreation areas, touristic activities and operations, visitor experience and comfort

The botanical garden in Sopron is also a university campus, so it has to serve different functions, from plant conservation, scientific and educational activities, to green infrastucture for the campus and recreation area.