Fascination of Plants day and Outdoor Exhibition
UU Plants: Location Botanical Garden - 12 June Special Event
On 18 May 2026, it is international Fascination of Plants Day. To mark the occasion, a new outdoor exhibition will open on 15 May in the Insect Meadow of the Botanic Gardens. Here, visitors can discover the fascinating world of plants and explore the many ways plant research contributes to our society.
Plants are everywhere. They feed us, sustain ecosystems, and shape the world we live in. Yet plant research often happens quietly behind laboratory doors, and plant researchers do not always share their work with the public. Why is that? Does it relate to the type of research, public perception, or is the answer more complex? And while the primary aim of plant research is often to generate knowledge, can it also serve broader societal purposes?
As part of the worldwide Fascination of Plants celebration, researchers and students from the UUPlants department invite visitors to reflect on these questions through an interactive outdoor exhibition running from 15 May to 15 June 2026. Throughout the exhibition, visitors will encounter inspiring stories from scientists across the department, highlighting not only how remarkable and resourceful plants are, but also the important role plant research plays in society.
Through QR codes displayed on the exhibition boards, visitors are encouraged to share their own thoughts and questions directly with the researchers.
The exhibition will conclude with a special closing event on 12 June 2026, from 11:45 to 14:00. During this gathering, visitors can enjoy food and drinks while engaging in discussions about the collected responses and hearing from scientists whose research has made a societal impact. The event will also feature a selection of beautiful scientific images created by UU researchers.
We warmly invite everyone to visit the exhibition, explore the questions surrounding plant research, and join the conversation about the future role of plants and plant science in society.
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