This morning, the mayor of Santa Cruz, José Manuel Bermúdez, alongside the councillors for Environmental Sustainability and the Maritime Park and the Palmetum, Carlos Tarife and Javier Rivero respectively, together with Belén Machado, the head of the Moeve Foundation in the Canary Islands, inaugurated the new bird observation area and the Papua New Guinea space. These are new attractions within the botanical garden, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The festivities will also include visits from schoolchildren, residents, and the celebration of the II Meeting of Botanical Gardens of the Canary Islands.
Bermúdez indicated that “in honour of the Palmetum’s 10-year milestone, the botanical marvel of the Canary Islands, we also have a series of activities scheduled throughout the week.” He added, “likewise, following this inauguration, a new area will be established within the Palmetum, located by the lake, adjacent to the newly planted Papua New Guinea section which features breadfruit trees, dwarf coconut trees, and another 58 plant species, alongside the bird observation hut by its lagoon.”
The mayor elaborated, “This botanical garden, unique in Europe, was developed on a former landfill that was closed in 1984. The project was approved in 1996, leading to its construction, which was completed and opened to the public in 2014. Thus, we celebrate its initial decade this year.” He noted that “the Palmetum, as it is recognised both locally and internationally, boasts roughly 2,000 plant species, including 500 types of palm trees, showcasing its distinctiveness and explaining the fascination it holds for residents, visitors, and tourists alike.”
Carlos Tarife highlighted that “this botanical garden is completely sustainable, as it utilises regenerated water from the Santa Cruz Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), along with repurposed plant material from the city’s parks and gardens.” He further noted, “Moreover, it is important to clarify that we do not apply toxic pesticides, and plant management adheres to best cultivation practices. We are also members of the Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) and the Ibero-Macaronesian Association of Botanical Gardens (AIMJB).”
“We comply – stated the Councilor for Environmental Sustainability – with international standards for botanical gardens, presenting a scientifically documented collection of species, many of which are threatened or already extinct in their native habitats.” He emphasised that “this aspect particularly substantiates our role as an organisation that promotes biodiversity conservation, in addition to supporting research and education to foster environmental education and investigation.”
Javier Rivero, the councillor in charge of the Maritime Park and the Palmetum, remarked that “today marks the opening to visitors of the first phase of a substantial investment project, coinciding with the tenth anniversary of this botanical garden, in total amounting to 3 million euros.” He argued, “These developments include the creation of a new nursery and services building, a fresh viewpoint featuring a café, a children’s area, toilets, and a souvenir shop, along with another viewpoint along the new thermophilic forest path.”
“Over the past 10 years,” Rivero continued, “the Palmetum has welcomed 550,000 visitors, and we can confidently say it is at its peak since opening. Proof of this is that we will be hosting a new Meeting of Botanical Gardens of the Canary Islands on the 12th and 13th of this week.” He added, “In line with the City Council’s commitment to continually enhance the Palmetum and its flora, we have approved a project to improve the slope of this botanical garden, aimed at bolstering its exterior aesthetic, allowing us to allocate additional resources and personnel to this botanical treasure.”
“Nonetheless,” reiterated the Palmetum councillor, “although this singular area in Europe has garnered numerous accolades, including the Traveller’s Choice award for the eighth consecutive year from Tripadvisor, the leading travel advice platform globally, our aim is for the residents of Santa Cruz to be aware of it.” He insisted, “For this purpose, we are organising guided tours for Santa Cruz residents in collaboration with the Palmetum, as we wish for this unique and symbolic space representing urban transformation to be recognised and cherished by the community.”
“Moreover, the Palmetum,” Rivero added, “holds the Biosphere Committed distinction, granted to entities committed to achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined in the UN’s 2030 Agenda established in 2015.” He pointed out that “this week will also see the participation of agriculture and gardening students for hands-on learning experiences in this vast and diverse botanical garden, housing species from nearly every corner of the globe.”
Belén Machado, head of the Moeve Foundation in the Canary Islands, expressed that “it is an immense honour for the Moeve Foundation to accompany them in celebrating such a significant milestone as the tenth anniversary of this splendid botanical garden, the Palmetum.” She emphasised that “it stands as a beacon of environmental recovery and sustainability, and serves as an inspiring model of how nature and community can flourish in unity along a shared journey that has transformed it into a space rich with biodiversity.”
“We are privileged,” Machado highlighted, “to participate as dedicated partners in the stewardship and restoration of biodiversity while also enhancing the quality of life for individuals, which environments like this naturally foster.” She added, “For this reason, we reaffirm our commitment to projects that link citizens with nature, strengthening biodiversity and encouraging sustainable development, as exemplified by the Palmetum, which transcends the definition of a typical botanical garden to exemplify the transformation of a former landfill into a haven of life.”
Papua New Guinea Space
Concerning the section dedicated to Papua New Guinea, the technical team at the Palmetum explains that it is the largest tropical island globally, making it a significant hub for biological and cultural diversity, famed for its well-preserved ecosystems and unique ecological variations, ranging from mangroves to tropical alpine meadows. Nevertheless, it is important to recognise that, despite its significance, its variety of vascular plants had not been thoroughly catalogued until recently.
A new inventory reveals 13,634 species (68% endemic), alongside 1,742 genera and 264 families, establishing Papua New Guinea as the island with the highest floristic variety worldwide, with the discovery of new species still on the rise, showing no signs of slowing down.
New Birdwatching Area
The newly established zone dedicated to Papua New Guinea marks a significant enhancement for the avian life residing within the Palmetum botanical garden. Not only does it extend the area available for birds by providing additional places for feeding and nesting, but the newly created lake serves as an essential stopover point for them to rest and hydrate, and potentially even to breed in the near future.
Following today’s inauguration, a slow and gradual process of vegetation growth commences, particularly around the lake, with the variety of birds observed along its banks expected to increase as it transforms into a perfect habitat rich in shelter and refuge, akin to the other lakes in the park. Pigeons, partridges, blackbirds, and canaries are already visiting at different times of the day, with many more species anticipated to grace this new sanctuary over time.
Through a hide or observation point, they can be viewed under optimal conditions without causing any disturbance, and it is noteworthy that no fewer than 94 distinct species of birds are recorded within the Palmetum botanical garden, which includes aquatic species nesting in the lakes that have begun to frequent this new wetland area related to Papua New Guinea. This includes the initial sightings of redshanks, wagtails, or “candy birds,” along with recent appearances of wintering egrets.
Both local birds frequenting these small oases as primary locations for drinking and resting, as well as migratory birds that arrive either to halt during their travels to recuperate or to settle in this area for the entire winter until they return to their breeding grounds in spring.
II Meeting of Botanical Gardens of the Canary Islands
One of the highlight events this week celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Palmetum’s opening is the II Meeting of Botanical Gardens of the Canary Islands, coordinated by the Moeve Foundation, under the leadership of Belén Machado in the Canary Islands. This event, scheduled for Thursday and Friday, will feature numerous experts discussing various topics of interest, focusing on both the conservation of botanical species and future prospects.
The first day begins with a talk titled “Palmetum Botanical Garden: Retrospective and Future,” delivered by Carlo Morici, the scientific director of the Palmetum; Manuel Caballero, a retired researcher from ICIA; and María Flores from Santa Cruz de Tenerife city council. This discussion will be followed by additional sessions led by managers and representatives from botanical gardens such as Viera and Clavijo (Gran Canaria), the botanical garden of the Pyramids of Güímar, researchers from the Acclimatization Garden of La Orotava, and scholars from the University of La Laguna, concluding with a round table discussion on the first day.
The subsequent day, Friday, will see the first three meetings or talks centring on the Palmetum itself, alongside the inclusion of researchers and academics from the Oasis Park botanical garden. This will provide attendees with an opportunity to engage in a new round table discussion focused on the future of the Botanical Gardens in the Canary Islands, followed by a moment of debate that will revolve around Papua New Guinea, featuring researchers and the participation of Belén Machado, head of the Moeve Foundation in the Canary Islands.
