Gibraltar Botanic Gardens

Outdoor education at Gibraltar’s Botanic Gardens

In Gibraltar, many families live in high rise homes with little outside space. They don’t have the opportunity to grow plants and flowers or experience wildlife up close. It’s one of the reasons Gibraltar’s Botanic Gardens, The Alameda, is so important to local people, as well as a popular attraction for visitors.

“The Alameda Gardens is fascinating, with its magnificent trees, varied collection of local and African plants and a little zoo,” says Soma, Kusuma Trust’s Executive Trustee. “When I’m in Gibraltar, it is my go-to place for moments of calm or taking pictures. There is something for everyone there. I am very inspired to see the dedication of Gibraltar Botanic Gardens to continue to maintain and keep improving the garden and the very interesting programmes they offer to children and adults. We’re delighted to partner with them.

“At Kusuma Trust, we recognise the importance of green spaces for our wellbeing and we encourage children to love and understand nature and its importance. That’s why we wanted to help make sure more local people can experience this.”

Our grant of £185,847 funded a new education zone complete with a pond, wormery, bee hotel and growing areas.
Twice more visitors of all ages are now able to access the programmes offered at Gibraltar Botanic Gardens.
From January to July 2024, The Alameda education team led 48 school tours and hosted 13 self-guided school trips – educating 1,475 students.

Photo: A visit to the proposed site of the Biodome by staff and Kusuma’s Executive Trustee, Dr Soma Pujari

In September 2020, we gave a grant of £185,847 which has funded the development of a purpose-built education area within The Alameda. This includes:

A high-tech ‘biodome’ with plans for a hydroponic growing system
Teaching facilities including a raised pond, wormery, bee hotel, growing areas, sensory garden, children’s reference library and a media hub
Storage for gardening equipment, washing facilities and a bathroom with disabled access.

Groups of children and adults are benefitting from hands-on gardening experience and opportunities to engage with flora and fauna. Child-friendly books and resources are stored in the media hub. These are helping with more in-depth scientific study of the gardens to deepen their understanding of the world around them.

The biodome project is expected to host up to 5,000 4 to 18 year olds visit with their schools each year. More children are able to attend a weekly gardening club. There are also opportunities for disabled people of all ages and their carers to take part in gardening activities.

The new education zone is also bringing opportunities for young people and adults to volunteer at the gardens and expand their knowledge, skills and understanding of environmental issues.

“Thousands of children have benefited from Gibraltar Botanic Gardens education programme, which seeks to educate children on all aspects of the environment, using plants and horticulture as a vehicle. The programme grew to such a scale that the gardens needed a new, large and purpose-built education area to cater to the needs of children of all abilities. Due to the generosity of the Kusuma Trust and other donors, the Alameda-Kusuma Education Area has become a reality.”

Dr Keith Bensusan, Director, Gibraltar Botanic Gardens