A variety of research activities are undertaken at the Botanical Garden. Our new greenhouse and expanded nursery beds have significantly increased our plant production capabilities. As a consequence we have some exciting initiatives in the realm of plant propagation and evaluation in reclamation, stabilization and ornamental applications. Our partners in research in recent years have been Department of Works, Services and Transportation, Terra Nova National Park, MUN Department of Biology and the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods.
Plantwatch Newfoundland and Labrador
The Plantwatch program allows volunteers to collect data on early flowering plants where they live and this data will shed some light on the changes in weather patterns. Plantwatch Newfoundland and Labrador is part of a national program with data being collected in all provinces and territories. You can link to the national site at or the provincial site at Biology Dept. web page.
Revegetation Projects
Revegetation projects have been ongoing for the past several years. The first being funded through the EJLB Foundation. This project involved the restoration of an abandoned fill site at the Botanical Garden. Test plots were set up and various native plants were tested for their success as candidates for revegetation along roadsides or abandoned mine sites. This study has led to further work of testing various native species success for revegetation along the Outer Ring Road, St. John's and The Trans Canada Highway in Terra Nova National Park. In conjunction with these studies work is also being done on the best propagation methods for the various species being used.
New Found Plants
Perhaps our most exciting new undertaking is New Found Plants Inc. This is a research and development company that the Garden formed early in 2000 to work towards the commercialization of some of our more rare ornamentals and the breeding and selection of new plants for our nursery industry. In 2000 funding for this project was secured from the National Research Council (Industrial Research Assistance Program). Visitors have long enjoyed the unusual and hard to get plants that adorn our Botanical Garden. With the advent of New Found Plants Inc., the very best of these will soon be available throughout the province and maybe the world.
Rare Plant Project
In partnership with Dr. Luise Hermanutz (Biology) and the Provincial Wildlife Division, the Botanical Garden is an ex situ conservation site for rare and endangered species for the Great Northern Peninsula, Newfoundland (in particular Braya and Salix).
