Press Release
22 July 2011
Botanics is rooting for forgotten forests
Conservationists at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) have launched an exciting new website so people across the globe can champion their favourite forests.
forgotten forests, the innovative multi-media portal offering everyone the opportunity to nominate their favourite woodland, is part of the International Year of Forests 2011 celebrations at the Botanics. (Editors please note, forgotten forests is lower case)
Visitors to the website at www.rbge.org.uk/forgottenforests are able to watch films and view the photo gallery. They can easily contribute their own videos and pictures, and show us where their forgotten forests are using our online map.
Elinor Gallant, Exhibitions Officer at RBGE, commented: “This is a very exciting new multi-media initiative to make sure forests around the world are not forgotten. The forgotten forests website will allow people to share their films and images to reveal the amazing diversity and importance of forests. We’re keen for as many people as possible join in and tell us their thoughts on forests through Facebook and Twitter. It is the first initiative of its kind here at RBGE. We have set up a user-friendly website that is easy to navigate and will appeal to all ages.’’
In addition to the website, there will be an extensive complementary programme of films, events and activities to run between September 2011 and January 2012.
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For further information please contact Sandra Donnelly on 0131 248 1037 or Shauna Hay on 0131 248 2900.
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), dating back to1670, is a Non Departmental Public Body established under the National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985, principally funded by the Scottish Government. It is also a registered charity, managed by a Board of Trustees appointed by Ministers. Its mission is “exploring and explaining the world of plants for a better future” and its primary functions are as a centre of scientific and horticultural excellence, keeper of the national collections and promoter of science in the public domain.
The four Gardens of RBGE - Edinburgh, Benmore, Dawyck and Logan - are numbered among the most popular visitor attractions in Scotland, bringing together many inter-related cultural areas of activity.