Convention on Biodiversity and the Hortus

In 1992, the United Nations Convention On Biodiversity (CBD) came into being. This convention determined that people may not do whatever they please with animal and/or plant material originating from another country. For example, if someone earns money from plants or animals, part of that money must flow back to the country of origin. The Hortus must, therefore, carefully manage plant material from other countries. Plants in the Hortus may not just be sold or given away.

The Hortus prefers to exchange plants and seeds with other gardens in and outside the country in a responsible manner. In 2003, the Hortus signed the declaration of intent that gives access to the International Plant Exchange Network (IPEN). The IPEN is a worldwide network of botanical gardens that follow the rules that have ensued from the Convention on Biodiversity. The Hortus has separate exchange agreements with gardens that are not (yet) part of the network.