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Bio-Outreach

Outreach and Education

Kew’s global profile, historic landscape, and scientific authority position it uniquely to lead public understanding of lichens worldwide.

Public engagement is another key aspect of conservation. Lichens are easily overlooked, yet once noticed they inspire fascination. Through guided walks, exhibitions, and digital platforms such as kewlich.info, visitors gain insight into the hidden world of lichens—their vibrant pigments, delicate structures, and ecological importance. By fostering appreciation, Kew cultivates future stewards of fungal and plant diversity. Awareness ultimately strengthens conservation: people protect what they understand and value.

Finally, Kew’s work fits into a global mission. As a leading botanical institution, Kew collaborates internationally to conserve fungal and lichen diversity, share data, and support research in regions where these organisms are poorly studied. This global perspective ensures that conservation efforts are not limited to one garden but contribute to the greater scientific and ecological community.

In essence, lichen conservation at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a commitment to seeing—and safeguarding—the small things that matter. Through research, habitat protection, climate observation, and public awareness, Kew ensures that lichens continue to thrive as indicators of environmental health and as beautiful, intricate components of the natural world.

Outreach Potential

Visible Lichens, Invisible Stories
Making lichens noticeable through interpretation panels, trails, and guided walks across Kew Gardens.
Lichen Literacy for All Audiences
Developing accessible learning materials for children, families, students, and adult learners.
Hands-On Discovery Experiences
Promoting observation with hand lenses, bark exploration stations, and seasonal field activities.
Curriculum-Linked Education
Aligning lichen content with UK science curricula, climate education, and biodiversity learning outcomes.
Citizen Science Engagement
Training visitors and volunteers to record lichens and contribute data to monitoring and research.
Digital Learning Platforms
Expanding KEWLICH with visual guides, short videos, interactive maps, and QR-linked content on site.
Storytelling Through Time
Using Kew’s 150-year lichen history to illustrate environmental change and scientific discovery.
Art–Science Connections
Integrating lichens into art, photography, and creative interpretation to reach wider audiences.
Heritage and Nature Dialogue
Explaining the dual role of lichens in cultural heritage conservation and natural ecosystems.
Inclusive and Multilingual Access
Designing content that is culturally inclusive and available in multiple languages.
Training Guides and Educators
Building lichen knowledge capacity among Kew staff, volunteers, and educators.
Evaluation and Impact Measurement
Assessing learning outcomes, engagement levels, and long-term public awareness.

Urban Lichens

Monument Lichens

Tree Lichens

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