Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Birmingham City University sow the Seeds for Regional Impact with Strategic Partnership

Birmingham City University (BCU) and Birmingham Botanical Gardens (BBG) will collaborate on innovative opportunities for learning and research, while enhancing the health and wellbeing of both staff and students.

“This partnership reflects our shared vision of combining education, innovation, and community engagement to make a tangible difference to our city and beyond,” said Professor David Mba, BCU’s Vice-Chancellor.

“When my University launched its 'Rooted in Birmingham’ strategy late last year, we made a firm commitment to collaborate with key institutions on innovative projects, with a view to co-creating regional prosperity focused on health and wellbeing.

“This collaboration with Birmingham Botanical Gardens is a demonstration of that commitment and marks the ideal start to 2025. I am excited to see what we can achieve together.”

Sara Blair-Manning, Chief Executive of BBG, said: “We are thrilled to collaborate with Birmingham City University.

“This partnership will foster exciting new research, events, and opportunities for both institutions. We can’t wait to see the incredible initiatives that will emerge.”

Confirming BCU’s position as its Strategic Learning Partner, BBG also announced that Professor Mba is to become a Patron.

“It’s a great honour and I will look to support the Gardens at every opportunity,” said Professor Mba.

“I also look forward to spending more time there," he added.

BCU and BBG have been central to the city’s civic and cultural life since the 19th century.

Their collaboration will focus on five key areas.

Enhancing Wellbeing:

BCU staff and students will have access to BBG, supporting their physical and mental health through the restorative power of nature.

Collaboration:

Joint projects will explore the role of plants in addressing global challenges, from health and sustainability to urban greening and innovation.

Community Engagement:

Shared initiatives will connect BBG and BCU with the people of Birmingham, fostering deeper ties between education, culture, and nature.

Creative Exploration:

Students and researchers will have the chance to engage with unique plant resources, to use for innovative projects in areas like sustainable fashion.

Partnership Benefits:

By aligning their missions, both organisations will support enriching experiences for learning, discovery, and cultural growth.

Located in Edgbaston, just a short distance from BCU’s City South Campus, BBG is the ‘green heart’ of Birmingham, offering a uniquely bio-diverse natural environment.

The 15-acre Grade II listed landscape, which houses one of the UK’s most significant historic Botanic Gardens, has remained remarkably intact since 1829. The Gardens are home to more than 10,000 plants, the largest collection of its kind in the Midlands.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens is the ‘green heart’ of Birmingham, offering a uniquely bio-diverse natural environment.

The 15-acre Grade II* listed landscape is one of the UK’s most significant historic Botanic Gardens which has remained remarkably intact since 1829. The Gardens is home to more than 7,000 plants, the largest collection of its kind in the Midlands.

Visitors are invited to explore an array of horticultural treasures spread across the gardens.

Four Victorian Glasshouses - Tropical, Subtropical, Arid, and Mediterranean, offer an immersive experience, while the outdoor landscape presents wonders including two Alpine Gardens, the Japanese Garden housing an extensive Bonsai Collection, a serene Pinetum, an Adventure Playground for families, and a picturesque rolling lawn overlooking the original bandstand.

The Gardens also lead a highly regarded educational programme, welcoming over 20,000 students annually for hands-on learning experiences.

For more information, visit www.birminghambotanicalgardens.org.ukBirmingham Botanical Gardens, Westbourne Rd, Birmingham B15 3TR.

About BCU

Home to the award-winning School of Jewellery, the internationally renowned Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, and the innovative business incubator STEAMhouse, BCU has a history stretching back to 1843

From art, accounting and architecture to midwifery, media and mechanical engineering, Birmingham City University (BCU) transforms the lives of its students by offering a wide range of contemporary and flexible courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

For more information, visit www.bcu.ac.uk