Thaiszia - J. Bot., Košice, 25, Suppl. 1: 35-44, 2015 http://www.bz.upjs.sk/thaiszia THAISZIAT H A I S Z I A JOURNAL OF BOTANY The role of biodiversity conservation in education at Warsaw University Botanic Garden 1 1 IZABELLA KIRPLUK & WOJCIECH PODSTOLSKI 1Botanic Garden, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Al. Ujazdowskie 4, 00-478 Warsaw, Poland, +48 22 5530515
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[email protected] Kirpluk I. & Podstolski W. (2015): The role of biodiversity conservation in education at Warsaw University Botanic Garden. – Thaiszia – J. Bot. 25 (Suppl. 1): 35-44. – ISSN 1210-0420. Abstract: The Botanic Garden of Warsaw University, established in 1818, is one of the oldest botanic gardens in Poland. It is located in the centre of Warsaw within its historic district. Initially it covered an area of 22 ha, but in 1834 the garden area was reduced by 2/3, and has remained unchanged since then. Today, the cultivated area covers 5.16 ha. The plant collection of 5000 taxa forms the foundation for a diverse range of educational activities. The collection of threatened and protected Polish plant species plays an especially important role. The Botanic Garden is a scientific and didactic unit. Its educational activities are aimed not only at university students, biology teachers, and school and preschool children, but also at a very wide public. Within the garden there are designed and well marked educational paths dedicated to various topics. Clear descriptions of the paths can be found in the garden guide, both in Polish and English. Specially designed educational games for children, Green Peter and Green Domino, serve a supplementary role.