About the Garden >> The Team

Mérida Botanic Garden, belonging to the Centro Jardín Botánico de Mérida Science Faculty of Universidad de los Andes, counts with a professional team extremely qualified that includes universitary professors, professionals, technicians and horticulturists that are in charge of communicate their knowledge in research area, teaching and extension, essential aspects of the university. The extension activities made there have been supported by Fundación Jardín Botánico de Mérida, a non-profit institution that supports the important projects on the developing of Mérida Botanic Garden.

Universidad de los Andes and very specific Centro Jardín Botánico (CIB) conducts surveys concerning to phenology, anatomy, growing and establishment of plants. It has supported and produced a great quantity of information about the flora and ecology of vascular and non-vascular plants of the Mérida montane forest. (Ricardi; et. Al. 1987; León 1998; Ricardi et. al. 1996; Garbiso et. al. 2001; Ricardi et. al. 2001; Schneider et. al. 2003), high barren plain (Ricardi et. al. 1997; Rico et. al. 1996; Ricardi et. al. 1997), deciduous forests (Ricardi 1999) and xerophytic zones (Rico et. al. 1996). It has made researches about diversity with Bromeliad, Leguminous, Rosaceae and Orchids (Gaviria 1997; Torres 1997; Hornung et. al. 1999; León 1999), anatomy and morphology (Ricardi et. al. 1996b, 1996b, 1999; Torres et. al. 1996; Luque et. al. 1997; Luque et. al. 1999; Luque R. 2001; Luque y Menezes 2003; Torrres F. 2003; Ely F. 1996; Ely F. y Torres F. 2003) and through the Neotropical Taxonomic Botany graduate program that is imparted in the Botanic Garden, professionals are form to promote the floristic knowledge of the country. This graduate program is taught by the professors of Centro Jardín Botánico and from other professionals in the area, guest professors from national or international origins.

Other research groups from Universidad de los Andes have conducted surveys that involve ecology, zoology and climatology, producing valuable reference material. Some undergraduate professors use the Botanic Garden to teach subjects such as biology, architecture, design and teaching majors. Other activities include international cooperation agreements, specific projects, internships, research projects associated to the Botanic Garden, advisory for high school thesis, advisory for school projects, advisory for teachers and training in horticulture and gardening areas.

Diverse projects and programs have been accomplished in Coordinación Educativa . Dissemination and research of fauna and botany projects and the Educational program A Garden in your City, that develop in Fundacion Jardín Botánico de Mérida have allowed to know the fauna species which inhabit the zone and highlight the importance of the interaction they have with plant species. Also it has allowed us to promote guided tours, presentations or seminaries to more that 20000 people, involving them in educational and recreational activities that implicate strategies to preserve our natural resources. In 2004, SELVA (Sembrando los valores ambientales) “Planting environmental values” pilot project was designed to encourage communitary work in the search for solutions to the environmental problems and sustainable use of natural resources.