Due to new constructions on campus the Botanical Gardens were required to sacrifice about one quarter of its grounds in the 70s and again just recently some terrain was redevoted for the new medical clinic boardering to the west. Presently the Gardens own an total surface area of less than 7.5 acres (Dec. 2004). The architecturally and technically ageing greenhouses together with the critical land loss is requiring a reevaluation of the status of the BG aimed at opening a new perspective for maintaining adequate conditions in the future in order to adequately fulfill its mission of stewarding the valuable scientific plant collections by employing the most recent state of the art in professional horticulture.
The University thus has accepted new plans for creating a new Garden not far from the present location within the Neuenheimer Feld. The new concept for a 25-acre grounds and greenhouse complex, with the according scientific, horticultural, and architectural details, have been submitted to the governmental agencies in charge. These plans have been accepted, but a definite fixed implementation schedule has not been announced to date.
For the immediate future the BG are aimed at optimizing the current conditions, minimizing the effects of current deficiencies, and improving its professional and public appearance within set limitations – while keeping the perspective of a relocation within a hopefully not so distant future.
We are presently devoted to expanding and improving our services within and beyond the defines of the university, attempting to becoming more attractive to the professional and public communities and individuals alike by increasing the efficiency of currently available resources and organizational capacities.
In 2001, the Botanical Gardens were integrated into the Heidelberg Institute of Plant Sciences (HIP). Professor Dr. Marcus Koch has been Director of the Botanical Gardens since 2003.
