Located at the foot of the Northern Range in Port of Spain, the Royal Botanic Gardens is one of the oldest botanical institutions in the Western Hemisphere. Established in 1818, the Gardens span over 61 acres and are home to more than 700 species of trees and plants from Trinidad and Tobago and across the globe. As a treasured green space in the capital city, the Gardens serve both as a place of recreation and an important centre for plant conservation, public education and national heritage.
The Royal Botanic Gardens Unit, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, is responsible for the management, upkeep and public engagement activities associated with the Gardens.
Core Responsibilities of the Unit:
- The Unit develops and facilitates educational and outreach programmes such as guided tours, plant interpretation, exhibitions, public lectures, training sessions, and the production of educational materials. It also responds to public requests for information on plant species and garden operations.
- The Unit manages visitor services, ensuring that the space remains accessible, safe, and welcoming for all guests.
- Responsibilities include lawn care, raking, sweeping of roadways, garbage collection, edging, pest and disease control, fertilizer application, irrigation, and the general upkeep of signs, picnic areas, public restrooms, and other facilities. The Unit also oversees the introduction and care of new plantings.
- The Unit produces floral arrangements to support the aesthetics of state functions, official government compounds, and selected high-profile residences such as the Prime Minister’s Residence and President’s House.
Read the Botanic Gardens Act Chapter 41:03
To learn more about the legal and administrative framework governing the Gardens, click the link above.
