Jonathan Farber, Ph.D., gives a brief history of the North Carolina Botanical Garden, located in Chapel Hill and operated by UNC Chapel Hill.

1. A B O U T T H E N O R T H C A R O L I N A
B O TA N I C A L G A R D E NC R E A T E D B Y J O N A T H A N FA R B E R , P H . D .

2. • The North Carolina Botanical Garden is a hidden gem
located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and operated by
the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

3. • The core mission statement of the Botanical Garden is: “To
inspire understanding, appreciation, and conservation of plants
in gardens and natural areas and to advance a sustainable
relationship between people and nature,” (ncbg.unc.edu).

4. • For over 40 years, the
North Carolina
Botanical Garden has
been a leading
education center and
plant conservation in
the southeast,
committed to serving
the public.

5. • The University of North
Carolina’s first botany
professor, William
Chambers Coker is one
of the main founders of
the Botanical Garden.
• In 1903, Coker taught
his students outdoors
by showing them
various plants and trees
located on campus.

6. • In the mid 1920’s,
Coker and one of his
most passionate
students, Henry Roland
Totten, came up with
the idea to create a
larger, complete
garden area just south
of the main campus.

7. • Later, in 1952, Trustees of the University
dedicated 70 acres for development of
the garden, with another 103 acres
donated shortly after.

8. • William Lanier Hunt, a former student of both Coker and
Totten not only donated those 103 acres for the Garden, but
he also helped establish the Garden’s membership support
organization, now known as the Botanical Garden Foundation.

9. • In April of 1966, the Garden had its first public
opening, offering Nature Trails throughout the
Garden for all to enjoy.

10. • Over the years, the Garden has acquired major establishments,
including the Coker Arboretum, the Mason Farm Biological
Reserve, Battle Park, and the University of North Carolina
Herbarium.

11. • The lands have expanded
to over 700 acres and is
now a nationally
recognized conservation
that offers a wide array of
programs for those
interested to participate in.
• Some of these programs
include: conservation
programs, horticultural
therapy, botanical
illustration, native plant
studies, and educational
collections.

12. • In addition, the North Carolina Botanical Garden is a vital
resource for experts studying wildflowers and native plants
of North Carolina.

13. • Its Center for Plant Conservation is one of just 36 institutions
throughout the United States to hold a National Collection of
Endangered Species.

14. • The Garden is also a
pioneer of various plant
rescue techniques and was
the first garden in North
America to establish an
exotic pest plant policy.

15. • The North Carolina
Botanical Garden is
undoubtedly a
beautiful resource that
North Carolina is
proud to own.
• For more information
about the garden,
please visit their
website here.