SVG’s Botanic Gardens marks 260 years of existence

The Botanic Gardens, located on the outskirts of the St Vincent and the Grenadines capital, Kingstown, is this year marking its 260th year of existence. To mark the anniversary, the National Parks, Rivers, and Beaches Authority (NPRBA) spearheaded a symposium held under the theme: “260 Years of Heritage – Honouring the Legacy, Preserving the Past, Cultivating the Future”.  It was held on September, 8,2025 at the Curator’s House located in the Botanic Gardens, which was established in 1765, and is the oldest in the Western Hemisphere.

Acting Director of NPRBA, Rodica Tannis, said the survival of the Gardens is indeed a legacy as none of its founders could have imagined the Gardens would have endured to this time. Tannis highlighted several activities to commemorate the 260th celebrations, including an initiative to plant 260 trees; the waiver of entrance fees to parks to facilitate public exploration; a visit from a Kew Gardens team, and a return visit of a local team to Kew Gardens, UK; and a training workshop for tour guides of the Botanic Gardens.

Patrons can also look forward to the Gardens’ end of year signature event- Nine Nights of Lights to mark the event.

The acting director issued a call to Vincentians to protect what has been entrusted to them for future generations to enjoy, and extended gratitude to all who maintained the Gardens over the years.

Dr. Christina Welch of the University of Winchester, who delivered the keynote address at the symposium, delved into the history of the SVG Botanic Gardens, noting that the Gardens sustains several important flora and fauna, and possesses a remarkable heritage of which Vincentians at home and abroad should be proud.

Director of Forestry Services, Fitzgerald Providence, focused on the Gardens’ advancement with several pathways. He emphasised that the Gardens is not only a place of heritage and aesthetics, but it supports ecosystem services such as watershed management and climate control.

He pointed to the Nichols Wildlife Complex within the Gardens that houses an essential wildlife reserve for several birds, including the St Vincent Parrot, (Amazona Guildingi).

He also noted that in 2010, a team had catalogued and developed a plants database, and made a call for this to be updated. Providence also stressed the need for the multiplication of tissue culture and other propagation methods to increase and preserve important species in the Gardens; an improved management plan; and more technical collaboration, going forward.

Resident British High Commissioner to St. Vincent and the Grenadines,

Godffrey Patton, former Deputy Prime Minister, Sir Louis Straker, and former member of parliament, Dr. Jerrol Thompson, were also present at the