Herbarium & Seeds Conservation Program
The Herbarium and Seed Bank Unit is one of the main components of the Qur’anic Botanic Garden’s conservation program. According to the Garden’s strategic plan, the mission of the Herbarium and Seed Bank Unit is to document all plant species in the Garden along with relevant data. These are all plants and botanic terms that occur in the Qur’an and the prophetic tradition whether they are from Qatar and abroad. The Herbarium and Seed Bank Unit also collects and preserves medicinal herbs and informs the public about them.
According to the Garden’s strategic plan, the mission of the Herbarium and Seed Bank Unit is not limited to the plants mentioned in the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Rather, the Unit’s mission extends to conservation work on endangered plant species and plants with medicinal properties that are native to Qatar. This mission is a reflection of the Garden’s vision regarding its responsibility toward the environment. The Unit also documents and converses local flora by collecting and preserving specimens and seeds while engaging in outreach activities that increase public awareness about the environment and the Garden’s role in preserving natural resources and the environment.
The Garden collaborates with local government and civil society environmental agencies on Herbarium and Seed Bank activities, as well as environmental awareness initiatives. The Garden also collaborates with regional and international botanical agencies to collect specimens and exchange information and expertise.
The Herbarium and Seed Bank Unit serves as a sustainable scientific resource that supports research and documentation efforts related to the plants of the Qur’anic Botanic Garden and the local environment.
The mission of the Herbarium and Seed Bank Unit is to document and preserve the plants of the Qur’anic Botanic Garden, to contribute to the preservation of Qatari and regional natural heritage, and to promote environmental awareness, best practices for planting, and the preservation of biodiversity.