Lichens—symbiotic partnerships between fungi and photosynthetic organisms—ar among the Earth’s most resilient and intriguing life forms. Their capacity to colonise trees, rocks, soil, and even glass or metal makes them exceptional models for studying adaptation, environmental interaction, and long-term ecological change. At the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, these qualities converge within the vision of a Lichen Garden, a calm and contemplative landscape that highlights lichens as indicators of environmental health and sources of quiet natural beauty. Complementing this space, the Lichen School provides a dedicated centre for learning and public engagement, transforming Kew’s more than 180 recorded lichen species into a living, accessible curriculum within a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 • Kew Lichen Map (Online & App-based): An interactive map displaying the distribution of lichen species within Kew Gardens, updated with observations from staff and citizen scientists. Visitors can tap species icons to view high-resolution images, substrate type, pollution sensitivity, and ecological function.
• Augmented Reality (AR) Experiences: Using a mobile device, visitors can scan plaques or stones to reveal animated 3D models of lichen anatomy — showing fungal hyphae, algal cells, and reproductive structures.
• Real-Time Biomonitoring Dashboard: Displays environmental data (humidity, nitrogen levels, particulate matter) alongside lichen diversity indicators, linking visible biodiversity with invisible atmospheric processes.

 Interactive lichen learning at Kew should aim to:
• Reveal hidden biodiversity — showing how lichens embody the resilience and adaptability of life.
• Demonstrate scientific methods — linking taxonomy, ecology, and environmental monitoring to real-world conservation.
• Encourage hands-on exploration — enabling learners to identify, map, and interpret lichens themselves.
• Integrate technology and creativity — using digital tools, art, and data visualisation to enhance accessibility.
• Promote stewardship — inspiring visitors to care for clean air, biodiversity, and natural heritage.

Field-Based Discovery
• “Spot the Lichens” Trail: A self-guided route through the Rock Garden, Arboretum, and Natural Area, where visitors are encouraged to find lichens on rocks, trees, and soil. QR codes link to photos, ecological notes, and Kew’s digital species database.
• Tree Bark Exploration Stations: Portable magnifiers or hand lenses mounted near selected trees (e.g., oak, cherry, plane) allow visitors to observe growth forms — crustose, foliose, fruticose — and understand substrate preference.
• Rock Surface Ecology: Interactive boards explain how lichens chemically weather stone, contributing to soil formation and the biodeterioration–bioprotection balance relevant to Kew’s heritage buildings.

 • Lichen Biodiversity Survey Programme: Participants record lichen species or growth forms observed on designated trees or stones. Data are uploaded via an app or Kew’s website, contributing to a “Kew Lichen Atlas.”
• Air Quality Learning Module: Visitors compare species richness across garden zones — for example, near roads versus deeper woodland — to understand how nitrogen and pollution gradients affect lichen health.
• Student Research Projects: University and school groups can engage in long-term monitoring plots, collecting data on lichen colonization, microclimate, and biodiversity recovery over time.

 • Microscopic Worlds of Lichens: Workshops in Kew’s education laboratories allow participants to examine thallus sections, algal cells, fungal structures, and spores under the microscope. Learners can observe differences between genera such as Parmelia, Lecanora, and Cladonia, linking morphology to taxonomy and ecology.
• Chemical Spot Tests and Pigment Exploration: Demonstrations of lichen secondary metabolites (e.g., usnic acid) using simple colorimetric reactions illustrate lichen chemistry and its role in protection and identification.
• Research Integration: Sessions can be co-led by Kew scientists and British Lichen Society experts, introducing participants to contemporary methods in DNA barcoding and environmental bioindication.

 • Lichens and Historic Stonework: Interactive panels near Kew’s older glasshouses and monuments explain how lichens contribute to biodeterioration and natural ageing, transforming cultural heritage into a living ecological system.
• UNESCO World Heritage Education: A digital exhibit could link Kew’s lichens to global heritage sites, emphasizing how biological colonization reflects both environmental history and human responsibility in conservation.

 • Lichen Patterns and Pigments Workshops: Using macro images and natural pigments, participants create art inspired by lichen forms and colors, encouraging observation and cross-disciplinary learning.
• Sound and Texture Mapping: An interactive sound installation could translate microscopic lichen structures into audio frequencies, helping visitors “hear” biodiversity.
• Creative Storytelling: Integrating lichens into children’s education through storytelling, drawing, or role-play — presenting lichens as “nature’s partnerships” that teach cooperation and resilience.

Knowledge and Understanding
Participants develop:
• Awareness of symbiosis as a fundamental biological process.
• Understanding of lichen diversity, morphology, and ecology.
• Insight into air pollution, nitrogen deposition, and biomonitoring.
• Appreciation of how lichens reflect ecosystem health and history.

Skills Development
Interactive programmes foster:
• Field identification and observation skills.
• Data collection, recording, and interpretation.
• Microscopy, chemical testing, and digital analysis.
• Scientific communication and teamwork in citizen science contexts.

Attitudinal and Behavioural Change
• Strengthened connection to nature through direct engagement.
• Increased appreciation for fungi and cryptogamic organisms often overlooked in botanical education.
• Motivation to support biodiversity and sustainable environmental practices.

Formal Education
• Include lichens in Kew’s School and Adult Learning Programmes as part of biodiversity and environmental science curricula.
• Develop accredited modules or short courses on urban lichenology, biomonitoring, and heritage biodeterioration.
• Collaborate with universities, the British Lichen Society, and conservation bodies for joint workshops and field training.

Visitor Interpretation
• Embed interactive lichen elements into Kew’s interpretation strategy for the Arboretum and Natural Areas.
• Use mobile-friendly interfaces and AR content to enrich visitor experience without increasing physical infrastructure.
• Highlight lichens in guided tours, temporary exhibitions, and seasonal themes.

Research–Education Linkage
• Leverage ongoing research into lichen diversity, pollution sensitivity, and metabolomics as live content for education.
• Create a Lichen Learning and Research Hub integrating data collection, public outreach, and research dissemination.
• Position Kew as a model site for urban biodiversity education, linking local monitoring with global environmental goals.