Newcastle University Botanic Gardens threatened with closure

Moorbank Botanic Garden is highly likely to close in November 2013.

Following the withdrawal of support by Newcastle University, the Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne have declined to lease the land and buildings to the Friends of Moorbank who hoped to continue to maintain the garden for the community.

Over the last 90 years, the Botanic Garden has developed one of the largest and most important plant collections in the North East.

Its rare and endangered species include the ‘strangling fig’; this plant is at the heart of research to enhance plant growth in the hotter, drier climates predicted for the future.

Growing Moorbank Executive Group has launched a petition to reverse the Freemen’s decision.

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