To address the rapid global environmental changes and strengthen regional biodiversity efforts, the 2026 International Training Course on Botanical Garden Development and Management was held from 28 June to 12 July 2026 at the Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden (CSBG) in Shanghai, China. Organized by the International Association of Botanic Gardens (IABG) and CSBG, with sponsorship from the Shanghai Landscaping and City Appearance Administrative Bureau, the two-week intensive program brought together 15 delegates and curators from 11 Asian countries. Representing the Philippines and the Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems – Makiling Botanic Gardens, University of the Philippines Los Baños, was Forester Marlo M. Caña. The course focused on the “Chenshan Model,” a paradigm for modern botanical gardens that balances cutting-edge scientific research with immersive public education and ecological restoration.
The program opened with a keynote from Dr. Yonghong Hu, Executive Director of CSBG, who highlighted the necessity of formal strategic planning to navigate global uncertainties, including climate change and the AI revolution. Trainees explored the core components of organizational roadmaps, aligning their institutional goals with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
A significant portion of the curriculum, led by IABG Chair Prof. Gilles Vincent, emphasized that education is the “best weapon” for gardens to combat the environmental crisis. Participants were introduced to the “3 H” Model: Head, Heart, and Hands, to create emotional connections between urban populations and nature. Specialized sessions covered topics such as Phytotechnologies, using plants for efficient environmental remediation, such as rain gardens, green roofs, green walls, and CSBG’s own constructed wetlands; Advanced Collections, insights into managing tropical fern diversity and projecting tree survival under future climate scenarios; and Ethnobotany, the critical role of traditional knowledge in plant conservation, presented by Dr. Long Chunlin. Along with the lectures, participants also presented various ethnobotanical products from their own countries.
Beyond the classroom, trainees engaged in extensive field tours to study Shanghai’s innovative green infrastructure. Visits included the Shanghai Natural History Museum, the Shanghai EXPO Culture Park, and CSBG’s award-winning Quarry Garden. These technical visits provided practical examples of how degraded industrial sites can be transformed into world-class ecological landmarks.
The course concluded with a capstone project where trainees presented “Future Action Plans” for their home institutions, synthesizing the “take-home” points gained during the program. The 2026 training has not only equipped participants with technical skills in living collection management and germplasm banking but has also forged a lasting professional network across Asia. As the delegates return to their respective gardens, they carry with them the tools to serve as frontline defenders of regional biodiversity. (Article by Forester Marlo Caña)