Local plants for local people
Identifying plants that can provide for people’s needs in the face of major environmental changes.
From its earliest days, Kew's botanists have taken a keen interest in the properties of plants that might prove useful as a new crop, a source of drugs or the basis of a new profitable industry.
Today the focus is on identifying plants that can provide for people's needs in the face of major environmental changes - local plants adapted to local conditions and which can be cultivated.
Kew's Breathing Planet Programme (pdf) | Help Kew: Adopt a seed for £25
Plants and people
People have long relied on plants for food, building materials, clothing and medicines. As well as seeking, naming and classifying new plants, Kew is working with partner organisations and communities around the world to develop ways to use vital plants in a sustainable way.
Useful Plants Project
The Useful Plants Project began in June 2007 and has projects in Botswana, Kenya, Mali, Mexico and South Africa. Many people in these countries depend directly on natural vegetation for everyday needs such as food, medicine, fuel and building materials. However, native plant life is faced with a range of threats including climate change, over-exploitation, shortage of water, habitat loss and invasion of exotic species.
The Useful Plants Project helps local communities to be better equipped to face such challenges by improving their livelihoods and using the surrounding resources in a more sustainable way.
Plants & People
Follow Kew
Keep up to date with events and news from Kew
