Introducing INTO Tropical Gardens

A new forum for heritage, horticulture and hope

We’re thrilled to announce the formation of a new INTO Community of Practice (CoP) focused on Tropical Gardens. A vibrant, cross-continental initiative bringing together INTO members who are passionate about gardens, climate resilience and cultural heritage.

This new group emerged from a rich and inspiring virtual meeting held on 20 March 2025, where members from Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, Malaysia, the Maldives and St Helena shared stories of their landscapes, challenges and aspirations. From desert parks to rainforest sanctuaries, each site is unique – but all are united by a shared commitment to sustainability, community engagement and the preservation of tropical biodiversity.

Why a Tropical Gardens CoP?

The idea was sparked by Soham Kacker of the Geoffrey Bawa Trust in Sri Lanka, who saw the potential for collaboration among INTO members working in tropical environments. The group identified common themes:

• Climate change adaptation and resilience
• Shared colonial legacies and heritage
• Urban green space and community outreach
• Revitalisation of native and ethnobotanical plant knowledge

Participants expressed a strong desire to learn from one another, share best practices and explore how gardens can be tools for education, healing and cultural revival.

First Speaker Event – 29 May 2025

We are delighted to announce that the first speaker in this new series will be Sharon Cooke, Head Gardener and Curator of the Andromeda Botanic Gardens in Barbados. Sharon will speak about marketing and promoting tropical gardens, drawing on her experience creating the Andromeda Ethnobotanical Garden – a powerful example of how gardens can reconnect people with their heritage and environment.

Opened in 2022, the Ethnobotanical Garden is a living classroom and sanctuary, showcasing the ancestral, medicinal and cultural uses of plants in Barbados. It’s also a haven for butterflies, birds, and biodiversity. Sharon’s work is a model for how tropical gardens can be educational, inclusive and deeply rooted in place – while also being engaging and marketable to a wide audience.

What’s next?

The Tropical Gardens CoP will meet regularly online, with each session focusing on a specific theme – from native planting and climate adaptation to community engagement and digital storytelling.

This is just the beginning. As Vanessa Loong of Badan Warisan Malaysia put it, “We want to preserve an urban oasis and educate people so that they will share the love.”

Join the Conversation

Are you working with a tropical garden or interested in joining this new community? We’d love to hear from you! Whether you’re a heritage professional, gardener, educator or advocate, there’s a place for you in this growing network.

Let’s grow something beautiful – together.