This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Garden
29/06/2005
A new state-of-the-art visitor centre for the Royal
Botanic Garden in Edinburgh (RBGE) is to receive a £2
million contribution from the Executive towards the
fundraising target of £13 million.
The new Gateway centre will underpin RBGE's mission to
explore and explain the world of plants by offering
enhanced visitor facilities, encouraging new and existing
visitors to enjoy greater understanding the RBGE's
work.
Opening the British Council's exhibition on climate
change "NorthSouthEastWest", on display at the Garden until
20 August, Ms Brankin said:
"The exhibition graphically highlights the huge global
impact that climate change is having.
"When leaders of the G8 meet in Scotland next month
international focus will very much be on the subject of
climate change. Awareness of the issue will be high and it
is important that momentum from this is not lost. An
effective response to climate change has to involve every
one of us and it is important that we all have awareness
and understanding of the issues at hand. The funding
announced today will play a part in that.
"The RBGE is a major asset for Scotland - a major
visitor attraction and an internationally renowned
scientific institution. The proposed new Gateway visitor
centre at RBGE will bring these facets together in a most
exciting way.
"It will give visitors an unparalled opportunity to
engage in and understand important issues relating to
biodiversity, climate change, and sustainability as well as
in understanding plants."
Dr Paul Nicholson, RBGE Chairman, said:
"Scottish Executive support of this nature is
significant both for the current fund-raising initiative
and for the long-term success of the Gateway.
"At the very heart of the RBGE's mission statement is
the requirement to provide access for all interested
members of the public and to communicate how everyone,
whatever their age or ability, can help turn the tide
against environmental destruction."
RBGE is managed by a Board of Trustees appointed by
Ministers. Its mission is to 'explore and explain the world
of plants' and its primary functions are: national
collections, visitor services and science in society.
The four gardens of the RBGE (Edinburgh, Benmore, Dawyck
and Logan) comprise the National Botanic Gardens of
Scotland and are numbered amongst the most popular visitor
attractions in the country.