Uses of the Garden

MEMBG is a living museum, not a park for recreation purposes. We welcome visitors who want to learn about plants and  develop greater appreciation for the relevance of plants to society.  As with a museum, records of the specimens are carefully kept, enabling  professional botanists and horticulturists to use these for research.  Plant biology research is conducted within the Botany Building.
 

Like a museum, the Botanical Garden has a number of notable special collections worth visiting. Many of these are especially designed for use by university classes, to teach students about biodiversity and plant adaptations. MEMBG endeavors to grow types of subtropical plants that cannot be grown out-of-doors at  other U.S. gardens.

Activities within our Garden are limited to those  that are compatible with the quiet, natural surroundings, and that  do not disturb others. Therefore, we prohibit running, cycling,  skating, and any similar activity more appropriate for a park. Visitors  may eat on the grounds, but are asked to dispose all trash when  they leave. Music is not permitted, except during scheduled events  at The Nest. Food is not permitted at The Nest. The Patio can be  reserved for social events where food is to be served.

We ask you to refrain from removing plant parts and  stay on paths and grassy areas. We also request that you not feed  any animals living at MEMBG or on campus.