Forestry officers including grounds men at the National Herbarium and Botanical Garden (NHBG) have received capacity building training on display plants maintenance through Japanese International Corporation Agency’s (JICA) assistance.
Training was facilitated by JICA’s Volunteer at the National Herbarium and Botanical Garden, Mayumi Nishiki who is an expert instructor on plants growth specifically on botanical gardens. She shared invaluable skills and knowledge to the participants.
The training focuses mainly on display-plants maintenance, especially on the various pruning methods and how to maintain plants and trees within any botanical garden.
This is in accordance with the Government of National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) policy priorities in ensuring to upgrade and support the National Herbarium and Botanical Garden to strengthen research related work and upkeep of botanical garden to ensure the preservation of plant species for future generations.
Forestry Permanent Secretary, Richardson Raomae acknowledges JICA for the initiative undertaken to enhance those responsible officers and leading the pathway to achieving one of the key government’s policy priorities.
“Such capacity building training is very essential, and an opportunity for the Ministry to capitalise on to further improve our very own botanical garden to fully serve its intended purpose.”
Trainer, Mayumi Nishiki says a botanical garden is a public space for recreation, a facility for the purpose of scientific research, conservation and learning through education, thus proper displaying of plants is a vital function of botanical gardens in fulfilling its roles.
In this instance, the Honiara Botanical Garden whilst plays host to some of the very unique flora and fauna of Solomon Islands, the display-plants component is missing, she adds.
“Those plants growing in the display area are becoming ‘too natural’ rather than being displayed. ‘Display’ is one of vital functions of botanical gardens to showcase the plant’s character and specialities to visitors.
“And I believe that through this training, it will sure improve the capacity of the staffs, making the display-plants be more attractive and educational friendly for visitors.
“Moreso serves as the first sight impression at the entrance, inviting visitors to see the natural forest area to discover its value and recognize the value of the forests of Solomon Islands.”
Ms Nishiki adds she is optimistic that officers trained under this capacity building will come to understand the purpose of display plants maintenance, grasp the knowledge and skills on display plants maintenance, and continued on to acquire the ability to plan and implement the display-plants maintenance going forward.
Source: MoFR Press
