Pitkern Botanical Garden
Safeguarding native plants for future generations
Background
Pitcairn Island, the only inhabited island in the remote Pitcairn Islands group in the South Pacific, is home to a unique and fragile ecosystem. Despite its small size and isolation, Pitcairn supports a range of native and endemic plant species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. The island’s rugged terrain, volcanic soils, and subtropical climate have shaped a distinct flora that reflects both its Pacific heritage and its evolutionary isolation.
The native vegetation has been significantly impacted by historical land use, introduced species, and environmental change, making conservation efforts increasingly vital. Protecting Pitcairn’s native flora not only preserves biodiversity but also supports cultural identity, ecosystem resilience, and long-term sustainability for the island’s small community.
More about the Pitcairn Islands
About the project
The Pitkern Botanic Garden (PBG) aims to create a greener, more resilient landscape that supports biodiversity, climate adaptation, and community well-being.
Its mission is to safeguard, study, and celebrate the unique plant biodiversity of the Pitcairn Islands. Protecting rare and endemic species from invasive plants and animals is essential for preserving ecosystem health. Effective conservation will require targeted invasive species control, habitat restoration, and ongoing monitoring, supported by accurate data, scientific research, and local ecological knowledge.
Developing the PBG is vital, as its living and preserved plant collections underpin the core goals of conservation, education, and research. Strengthening education and community engagement will foster long-term stewardship and support the sustainable management of natural resources. Together, these efforts aim to safeguard the Pitcairn Islands’ native flora for future generations, preserving their irreplaceable ecological and cultural legacy.
Priority Areas for the PBG:
Propagation of native and endemic species
Habitat restoration
Invasive species management
The PBG will also serve as a hub for environmental education, community participation, and cultural preservation, showcasing plants of both ecological and traditional importance.
Budget
A provisional budget is set at between £50,000-£250,000.
The project is seeking funding to develop the garden and undertake the following planned activities:
Establishment of the PBG, including infrastructure and equipment
Hands-on training in horticulture and sustainable land management
Research and data collection, including through citizen science
Contributions towards International Targets
Global Biodiversity Framework Targets
The UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) sets global goals to protect biodiversity through its targets, most recently updated as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in 2022. These targets aim to halt biodiversity loss by 2030 and include goals such as protecting 30% of land and sea areas, restoring 30% of degraded ecosystems, reducing pollution, and ensuring sustainable use of natural resources.
Sustainable Development Goals
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 global goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015 to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all by 2030. They cover a wide range of issues, including health, education, gender equality, clean water, climate action, and biodiversity. Each goal has specific targets and indicators to measure progress, encouraging countries to work together toward a more sustainable and equitable future.
Partners
The project will be run by a group of Pitcairn residents in collaboration with a number of partners (including support from UKOTCF and its network of partners).
Contact us
UKOTCF registered as a limited company in England and Wales No. 3216892 and a Registered Charity No. 1058483.