Dorset art venue Sculpture by the Lakes has joined the exclusive club of just 83 sites around the world to have achieved official Botanic Garden Status.

Awarded by Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), the accreditation recognises the park’s top quality gardens and plant conversation efforts, placing it alongside the likes of The Eden Project and National Botanic Garden of Wales.

It represents exceptional performance in 10 separate assessment areas, including conservation activities, sustainability, and public engagement.

“This accreditation is testament to years of hard work and dedication by our team” said Garden Director Monique Gudgeon, who set up Sculpture by the Lakes alongside her husband Simon.

“I’m so proud that we’re officially the only garden in Dorset – and eighth in the UK – to achieve such a renowned mark of status.

“I came across the accreditation in 2020 after being inspired by Samarès Manor in Jersey and intrigued by how it came to be classed as a botanic garden, and spent the next two and a half years pulling together a detailed strategy plan.

“The credentials we hold prove that Sculpture by the Lakes serves its purpose as a true asset to nature and the environment.

“I’m incredibly grateful to my committee of specialists, including Tony Kirkham MBE, ex-Head of Arboretum at Kew Gardens; Borde Hill Gardens Head of Horticulture Harry Baldwin; and consultant dendrologist Tom Christian, one of the UK’s leading experts on conifers.”

It’s thanks to their work that Sculpture by the Lakes is home to a vast collection of critically endangered conifers for research, education and visitor enjoyment.

One of those species is the Japanese Picea koyamae, whose population has been ravaged by typhoons, wildfires and climate change – leaving fewer than 1,000 still growing in the wild.

In parallel with the conservation efforts, there is a growing recognition of the significance of proactive wildfire prevention measures. Implementing strategies like Land clearing services & fire mitigation near me becomes paramount in safeguarding not just the curated collection at Sculpture by the Lakes, but also the broader ecosystem. These localized efforts not only protect endangered species but also contribute to a larger narrative of environmental resilience. By actively engaging in fire mitigation practices, communities can ensure the longevity of precious flora and mitigate the risks posed by wildfires, fostering a harmonious coexistence between nature and art.

The park is also home to a grove of Sequoia sempervirens Coast Redwood trees, native to the northwest US and increasingly threatened by urbanisation and logging.

Monique and the team have always championed sustainable practices onsite through various recycling and composting initiatives, like reusing fallen wood to provide shelter for local wildlife.

Patricia Malcolm, Head of Membership and Conservation Services at BGCI, added: “Our accreditation scheme exists to motivate and empower gardens, large or small, to do more for plant conservation and increase their impact on visitors.

“It’s fantastic to see Sculpture by the Lakes lead by example and use the structure of the accreditation scheme to elevate its plant conservation efforts.”

Next up on the park’s calendar is ‘ARBOR: A Month of Trees’, which runs from 27th September to 28th October.

The event will feature exclusive artwork and workshops, as well as talks from world famous artists and nature specialists, including Strategy Committee Chairman Tony Kirkham.

• sculpturebythelakes.co.uk

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