Monday, February 10, 1:00 pm Eastern – Zoo Horticulture, Online
Since the establishment of the first zoological garden in 1752 in Vienna, zoos have undergone a major transformation. Initially set up as menageries to entertain the public, they later became taxonomic animal collections and today engage in a wide range of conservation and education work. The role of horticulture in zoos has changed accordingly, as is illustrated by the remit of the horticulture teams at London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo, both run by the Zoological Society of London. When the Society opened “The Gardens at the Regent’s Park” in London in 1828 (which subsequently became known as London Zoo), the sole purpose of horticulture was to provide a gardenesque setting in which visitors could promenade past the animals on display. This contrasts a much more holistic mindset these days which uses horticulture and plant related expertise to benefit animal welfare, provide visitors with an inspiring and educational experience, and manage both sites for local wildlife. This talk by Sven Seiffert, Curator of Plants at ZSL, will look at the challenges, quirks, and enjoyment that zoo horticulturalists face as they navigate the unique demands of this approach. £8.00 The recording of the live talk will be available to registrants for one week following the lecture. Register at https://londongardenstrust.org/lecture-details/?event=Creating-Hiding-Places
