DominicaBotanic Gardens is located on the Caribbean island-nation of Dominica, in the capital of Roseau. Once known as one of the finest botanical gardens in the region, it was severely damaged by Hurricane David in 1979. Following restoration efforts, it remains a focus of cultural life in Roseau, and a center of conservation research on Dominica.
History
The Botanic Gardens were established when Dominica was still a colony in the British Empire. The Crown Government began planning the gardens in 1889, with the goal of encouraging crop diversification and to provide farmers with correctly propagated seedlings. The 16 hectares of land, formerly a sugar plantation within Bath Estate, was sold to the government in 1891 by its owner, William Davies. Planting of the gardens began in 1890. Its first curator was Charles Murray of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. He was soon replaced by Henry F. Green, who planned and laid out the grounds. Joseph Jones took over its management in 1892, and remained involved throughout his life; Jones would also become the first Superintendent of the Imperial Department of Agriculture for the West Indies in 1898. Botanists from Kew Gardens in England supplied a variety of tropical species from around the world. Though its primary purpose remained economic and experimental, Jones introduced ornamental plants to make the grounds attractive. It became known as among the finest botanical gardens in the West Indies by the 1930s. The gardens were severely damaged by Hurricane David in 1979, which destroyed many of its impressive old trees. One of the trees, a gigantic African baobab tree, fell and crushed an empty school bus; the tree and bus remain as a relic of the destruction within the gardens. Many plants have since been restored.
The Dominica Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry maintains laboratories at the Botanic Gardens for conservation research. The Parrot Conservation and Research Centre focuses on protection efforts for the two endemic parrot species locally known as the Jacko and the Sisserou, both of which are endangered. A molecular diagnostic laboratory was also established at the Botanic Gardens under the Darwin Initiative, to study the threat of chytridiomycosis to amphibian populations, in particular the endangered frog known as the mountain chicken. The offices of the Dominica Forestry and Wildlife Division were also located at the Botanic Gardens for fifty years, moving off-site in late 2009.
Activities
The Dominica Botanic Gardens is one of the few open spaces remaining in Roseau. It has long been a venue for cricket matches. Creole in the Park, a four-day music and cultural event, is held during the last week in October as part of World Creole Music Festival and Dominica's independence celebrations. State parades are also often held there.
