Walks+Talks: Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden was established at Tøyen in 1814. It is part of The Museum of Natural History, Oslo

University.

The development of a botanical garden was part of a nation-building process in the first part of the 1800’s.

The natural sciences held a strong position, botany was seen as important in the improvement of agriculture

and gardening. Important objectives for The Botanical Garden have always been the use and promotion of

research and education at the university. At the same time, through all its years, the garden has been a

valuable green oasis for people in the city, a place to enjoy beauty and quiet and a place to learn about plant

life, in Norway and in the world. The garden is a living museum and an important part of our cultural history.

Saving biodiversity – both threatened plants in the Norwegian nature and old garden plants – is an important

task. The garden has 800.000 visitors a year, and as such is an important place for valuable experiences in

Oslo.

Inside the garden, there are

several large museum buildings

for The Museum of Natural

History, covering the fields of

geology, zoology, botany and

mycology. In addition, we are

building a new Climate House, a

place for research-based

exhibitions and for meetings and

debates. Here, we will inspire

curiosity, impart knowledge and

give a foundation for action and

change concerning the gravest

challenges of our time – climate

change.