The Hortus botanicus Leiden connects science with the public. Through our research, we explore how people experience and appreciate nature while addressing key societal challenges.

As a botanic garden, the Hortus is actively engaged in biodiversity conservation projects. We collaborate internationally by cultivating endangered plant species in our collections, promoting their propagation, and sharing material with other botanic gardens.

Nature Awareness and Urban Biodiversity

Beyond biodiversity research, the Hortus examines society’s relationship with nature, focusing on topics such as nature awareness and plant blindness—the tendency to overlook the importance of plants in our daily lives.

In recent years, we have expanded our outreach efforts through various approaches and conducted multiple projects on urban biodiversity. Citizen Science initiatives such as Hidden Biodiversity and pavement plant research attract significant interest from visitors and contribute to policy changes, including those of the municipality of Leiden.

Education and Community Engagement

Within the garden, we provide numerous opportunities to engage visitors with knowledge about sustainability and environmental awareness. We continuously develop new methods to connect with diverse audiences, actively visiting schools and neighborhoods while organizing special events for children and the elderly.

By fostering a deeper connection between people and nature, the Hortus remains committed to inspiring and educating a broad audience.