Collections and collaborations are key to securing Kew’s future

The botanic garden’s science strategy would make a good manifesto for plant science in general, says Sandra Knapp.

It’s not often that Kew’s science has a higher profile than its wonderful, manicured landscape of heritage trees and floral displays or its horticultural showpieces such as the winter orchid festival. But that’s been the case these past few weeks, thanks to the release of a strategic vision for one of the UK’s great public institutions.

A strategy is only as good as its targets and vision; Kew’s science strategy is both challenging and inspiring. It could be seen as an unnecessary distraction for a research institution, which should just produce good work and leave it at that. But with increasing pressure to cut costs and increase societal relevance, it is important to be able to decide what to say no to, and to work to a goal bigger than an individual’s career.