Royal Botanic Garden of Jordan
Country: Jordan
- NAME Royal Botanic Garden, Jordan
- ADDRESS P.O. Box 99, Amman 11910, Jordan
- WEBSITE http://royalbotanicgarden.org
- EMAIL INFO@ROYALBOTANICGARDEN.ORG
- PHONE +962 6 541 3402
- OPENING HOURS The Royal Botanic Garden is not open to the public as yet, although our research component started in 2005.
- OWNERSHIP NGO
- DIRECTOR HRH Princess Basma bint Ali
- FACILITIES Herbarium, Seed Bank, Plant Nursery, Research Centre
- AREA (IN SQM) 1,800,000 m²
- NUMBER OF SPECIES We are still in the development phase, but will include as many as possible of the approximately 2,500 plants that grow in Jordan.
- COLLECTIONS We are re-creating five complete Jordanian habitats ex situ at the Royal Botanic Garden in Tell Ar-Rumman, north of Amman: Deciduous Oak Forest, Pine Forest Habitat, Juniper Forest Habitat, Riparian Freshwater Habitat and Dead Seas Habitat. – We also have a growing collection of herbarium specimens and seeds.
- CONSERVATION PROGRAMMES Habitat Re-Creation — Re-creation of five Jordanian habitats at the RBG, based on “home habitat” models elsewhere in Jordan: National Herbarium — Collection and preservation of dried specimens of native plants of Jordan: Seed Bank — Collection and preservation of the seeds of native plants: Plant Nursery — Propagation of native plant species, including rare plants, for use in the RBG and by the public : National Plant Strategy — Development of a comprehensive strategy for the conservation of plant biodiversity in Jordan : The Green Corridor — Preparation for the planting of millions of trees in a sustainable agro-forestry project, from Aqaba to the north of Jordan
- RESEARCH PROGRAMMES Community-Based Rangeland Rehabilitation — Research to determine optimum grazing procedures, for the benefit of livestock, herding families and the environment, particularly biodiversity: Natural Materials Programme — Research into local natural materials and ancient clay-based techniques, to produce earthen pipes, bricks and mortars for water harvesting infrastructure, as well as set up a pottery workshop: Medicinal Plants — Studies on native medicinal plants, traditional knowledge on natural healing and practical applications: Mushrooms — Identification of all Jordanian mushroom species, and development of protocols for producing edible mushroom
- EDUCATION PROGRAMMES The RBG is developing educational programmes to raise regional awareness on the need to conserve biodiversity. We also have a number of practical programmes intended to foster sustainable living skills and community development. : Artisanal Workshop — Courses for local women in sewing, handicrafts and other income-generating skills, leading to the sustainable production of unique items inspired by nature and using natural components: Dairy Production — Pilot project for the production of sundried jameed (hard yogurt balls) from sheep milk: Beekeeping — Preparation for courses in beekeeping, honey and the production of bee-related products
While our facilities are not yet complete, in the near future they will include:
Visitor centre, auditorium and gift shop, Natural foods restaurant and café, Bedouin tent, picnic and play areas, Children’s activity centre, Outdoor amphitheatre, Research centre, including a herbarium, nursery, seed bank, reference library and research huts.
Also we have native Jordanian habitats re-created within the site: Deciduous Oak Forest, Pine Forest, Juniper Forest, Jordan Valley and Freshwater Habitats
Five pavilions representing these habitats: Traditional garden, Medicinal plants garden, Garden for the blind, Pocket gardens, Mushroom gallery, Butterfly house, Beekeeping display, Birdwatching huts, Scenic lookouts, Over 20 km of hiking trails, Waterfront dock and boat trail, Ecolodge.