Jerusalem Botanical Gardens

Stone bridge across the canal in the Jerusalem Botanical Garden

Plants aren’t just pretty; they are also politically neutral. The Jerusalem Botanical Gardens, therefore, are the perfect setting for a coexistence course, for students from Jewish and Muslim schools. After sessions about subjects like spices, olive oil, and herbal remedy preparation, the kids visit each others’ schools for plantings.

This is just one of many programs at Israel’s largest botanical garden, says Sue Surkes, director of development.

The Jerusalem Botanical Gardens is located on the southeast corner of the Hebrew University’s Givat Ram campus. The gardens house 10,000 species arranged according to geography. These sections include plants native to the Mediterranean region, Central and Southwest Asia, Australia, North America, Europe, and South Africa. It also has a large collection of bonsai trees, a tropical conservatory, and an herb and medicinal plant garden. If you’re wondering what to do in Jerusalem this weekend, visiting the botanical gardens is truly one of the best free things to in Jerusalem.

“We have the largest collection in the country and are a living showcase for biodiversity,” says Surkes. “We translate the plant biodiversity into trying to encourage human diversity as well.”

Educational and Conservation Efforts of the Botanical Gardens

Water lily pond and pink trumpet tree next the Entrance to the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens

To reach broader audiences, including Christians and Muslims, the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens feature a Bible Path, complete with new plantings, outdoor classrooms, interpretational aids, and innovative programming. Also, there is a young environmental leadership course for teenagers from disadvantaged neighborhoods. The goal is for the “graduates” to take their newfound knowledge to their own communities, helping to advance projects such as community or school gardens, and/or butterfly gardens.

Leah Garzon, Jerusalem Botanical Gardens’ director of education, sends staff to help plant school gardens in Jerusalem’s ultra-orthodox neighborhoods, whose pupils have little opportunities for nature studies.

The staff also organizes seminars for Orthodox student teachers, providing a workshop to contextualize the many botanical and agricultural references in the Jewish Scriptures. And JBG’s head scientist, Dr Ori Fragman-Sapir, developed an international online course on the flora of the Holy Land that concludes with an optional one-week botanical tour of Israel.

“We’ve got 2,700 native species in Israel,” says Surkes. Unfortunately, 400 or so are in danger of extinction. The JBG recently procured a large grant to expand its scheme for protecting endangered botanical species. “We try to collect, grow, and test these wild plants to see if they can be marketed as ornamental plants.”

History of the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens

Though the current Jerusalem Botanical Gardens opened in 1985, its roots go back much farther. The garden was established in 1931 under the direction of Alexander Eig, then chairman of the Hebrew University botany department, on a plot of land near the university’s Mount Scopus campus in northeast Jerusalem. When access to the campus was cut off during the 1948 War of Independence, the garden was planted anew at the newer campus, beginning with North American conifers.

In 1994, the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens became a nonprofit enterprise. Representatives from the Hebrew University continue to sit on its board, along with representatives from the Jerusalem municipality, the Jewish National Fund-Keren Kayemeth LeYisrael, the Jerusalem Foundation, the Kaplan-Kushlik Foundation, and the Society of Friends of the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens.

More About the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens

nature jerusalem israel tour

A few years ago, Jerusalem native Oren Ben-Yosef took over as director general at the gardens. Under his leadership, the amount of activities has grown, leading to a rise in the annual number of visitors. A yearly wine festival is one popular event that attracts young adults, as well as the on-site Caffit café.

The gardens also feature a Children’s Discovery Path, showcasing a 95-meter treetop walk and nine interactive stations on different aspect of plants in their environment.

There is also a biodiversity education center at the tropical conservatory in the gardens. “It takes people on a journey between two environmental extremes – the rainforest and the desert”, says Surkes.

In addition, the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens created new sections to exhibit plants from South America and Southeast Asia, including a large exhibit of Chinese gardens.

The gardens also host research projects, including one run with several universities. Surkes stresses that the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens staff depends on a volunteer force that works in the seed nurseries, gardens, and gift shop. “They are the backbone of the gardens”, she says.

This article is courtesy of Israel MFA. For more information about the gardens, visit the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens website. Be sure to explore Jerusalem on our Jerusalem Tours, such as our Best of Jerusalem Day Tour – perfect for first – time visitors, where you’ll experience the city’s rich history and cultural landmarks. If you’re eager to journey across the rest of the country, book one of our Israel Package Tours, in which we cover all the logistical details. You’ll focus on fully enjoying everything Israel has to offer, while we plan all the inclusive transfers, spectacular hotels, exciting itineraries, and expert guides.

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