What’s Blooming in Jerusalem?

October 10, 2011

“We have the largest collection [of plants] in the country and are a living showcase for biodiversity,” Director of Development Sue Surkes tells ISRAEL21c. “We translate the plant biodiversity into trying to encourage human diversity as well.”

www.botanic.co.il One thriving scheme for bringing together Muslim and Jewish children has 11-year-olds learning about the production of spices, olive oil, and herbal remedies in the Botanical Gardens. After nine sessions on neutral ground, facilitated by teachers/translators, the kids do plantings at each other's schools.

A newly upgraded Bible Path—punctuated by new plantings, outdoor classrooms, interpretational aids, and innovative programming—is aimed at bringing in religiously oriented visitors, be they Jewish, Christian, or Muslim. Opened in 1985, the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens divides its plantings into sections: Mediterranean, Central and Southwest Asian, Australian, North American, European, and Southern African. It also has a large collection of bonsai trees, a tropical conservatory, and an herb and medicinal plant garden.

www.botanic.co.il/Judith Marcus There will soon be more: a Children's Discovery Path, featuring a 95-meter [312-feet] treetop walk and nine interactive stations on different aspect of plants in their environment; and a biodiversity education center showing how plants adapt to environmental extremes. A future expansion will give the garden space for sections of plants from South America and Southeast Asia, as well as a new entrance, visitor center, horticultural school, and parking areas.