LISLE, Ill. (Aug. 7, 2024)— Botanic Gardens Conservation International today announced that The Morton Arboretum and the Chicago Botanic Garden have been selected to partner with BGCI to host the 9th Global Botanic Gardens Congress in Chicago in summer 2027. The Congress is held every three to four years and is the only global congress dedicated to botanic gardens. This will be the first time it will be held in North America in 27 years.

Delegates from among the world’s 3,000 botanic gardens will participate in the conference with a theme focused on the role that botanic gardens play in habitat restoration in the wild, as well as in urban built environments. “As we navigate the impacts of climate change, there has never been a more urgent need to revive damaged habitats than now,” said Jill Koski, president and CEO of The Morton Arboretum. “This international congress will amplify the research and conservation work being done in the world’s botanic gardens that is essential to ecosystem restoration.”

The Congress will bring together botanic garden professionals and other stakeholders from around the world to discuss the many facets of habitat and ecosystem restoration that botanic gardens are engaged in. “The conference provides botanic gardens with a meaningful opportunity to showcase their expertise in plant science, conservation, horticulture and educational outreach to deliver impactful insights for species and habitat conservation,” said Jean M. Franczyk, president and CEO of the Chicago Botanic Garden. “We’re eager for our colleagues to visit Chicago and share our challenges, showcase successes and innovative new programs, and forge collaborative solutions to address the world’s pressing environmental issues.”

The Morton Arboretum is a globally recognized leader in tree research, conservation, and education, contributing scientific knowledge and technical experience to secure the future of trees locally, nationally and worldwide. The Chicago Botanic Garden is a world-renowned living museum that helps build healthier communities through urban agriculture, offers lifelong learning opportunities, leads pioneering plant conservation research and showcases the beauty of horticulture.

The Congress will be held at a downtown Chicago location, with the Arboretum and the Garden hosting programs and events at their sites during the event. Tours throughout the state will connect attendees with regional hubs of biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration.

“Chicago’s motto is the latin phrase Urbs in Horto, City in a Garden,” Koski said. “We look forward to showcasing the many beautiful and unique natural spaces the city and surrounding suburbs have to offer this international audience of botanic garden colleagues.”