The SFedU Botanical Garden (the abbreviation stands for Southern Federal University) is located in Rostov-on-Don and has been operating for over 80 years. During this time, many plants were preserved, new specimens were planted, which are rarely found in the steppe zone. Employees are active in research and educational activities.
History of Creation
The SFedU Botanical Garden (Rostov-on-Don) could have been founded as early as 1915, when Warsaw University was evacuated to the city. But the First World War was replaced by the Revolution, and the idea was realized only after the stabilization of the situation in the region. The initiative to create the Botanical Garden was taken by scientists from the local university, they turned to the authorities, received approval and a land plot of 74.11 hectares near the Temernik River.
The garden's area was increased to 259 hectares in 1933, the flower beds of the former private farm of the Ramm brothers, who were of Dutch origin, were given for planting. The resulting territory was a well-established economy, there were areas for forcing early flowers for Easter or Christmas, there were greenhouses,there were greenhouses and open areas for seasonal plants.
The active commercial activity of the brothers was supported by catalogs, distribution of planting and seed material, which was grown on the farm or ordered from abroad. The SFedU Botanical Garden inherited almost all the achievements and material assets of the Ramm brothers.
Gardening
Professor V. N. Vershkovsky became the first director of the Botanical Garden. With his participation, the design of the territory began, where most of it was given to the park area. The plan meant that the park in miniature would reflect a map of the North Caucasus with the corresponding plants characteristic of each locality. But it was not possible to realize the idea, since almost all the imported plantings died due to unsuitable conditions in the steppe zone.
I. E. Chugunov was engaged in the exhibition part. He divided the whole work into several stages. Initially, a forest-type park (30 hectares) and an arboretum (4.2 hectares) were laid out on four different slopes. In the same period, a nursery of woody and ornamental plants was laid, its area occupied 15 hectares. In the pre-war years, more than four hundred species of plants rare for the region were collected in the garden. During the war, most of the collection was lost.
Now of the first planted plants, 54 species are in good condition. For example, a rare specimen of large-fruited oak, Amur velvet and many others feel good. The SFedU Botanical Garden carefully preserves one of the oldest trees in its collection -pedunculate oak estimated to be 120 years old.
War and post-war years
At the end of 1928, the garden received the status of a research institution and was transferred to the North Caucasus University, currently it is the Southern Federal University, from which the modern name is formed. The foundations of work and priorities of activity were laid in the pre-war period. In addition to scientific activities, educational work is carried out here among the population, the cultivation of valuable plants, the conservation of existing species of flora, and so on.
During the Great Patriotic War, the city was occupied. Most of the garden collections were lost, greenhouses and open flower beds were destroyed, many plant species were lost. Residential buildings, outbuildings, and office premises also suffered from hostilities. The library, laboratories were looted, valuable records, research materials and archival manuscripts were lost.
The SFedU Botanical Garden began restoration work almost immediately after the victory. In 1953, a collection of heat-loving exotic plants from the tropics and subtropics appeared, planted in a greenhouse. Further development continued in the 60s. During this period, plots with collections of ornamental plants for the garden, medicinal plants were laid. In the 80s, essential oil, fodder species of flora and endangered plants of the steppe zone were planted in the garden.
Goals and objectives
Botanical Garden of the SouthDuring its eighty-year history, the Federal University has become one of the largest domestic bases for scientific, educational, resource and cultural activities. The purpose of the work is to preserve and develop the Botanical Garden, and the following tasks are also pursued:
- Preserving the entire biological diversity of the ecosystem within the garden.
- Slowing down the processes of extinction of rare plants in the region.
- Fixation of the diversity of the plant world in the context of the areas of its modern distribution, growing conditions, the influence of negative factors. Reflection of the economic value of existing plants, their distribution in conservation areas, collections.
- Exchange of samples of planting and plant material with the world community of botanical gardens, conservation of genetic diversity, distribution of collection plants.
- Research, scientific activities, dissemination and acquisition of knowledge.
- Combination of research, scientific, educational, educational activities.
- Formation of public opinion on the protection of flora and its value for every person, understanding of threats from civilizational processes.
- Modern methods of conducting all kinds of activities.
- Providing conditions for the development and manifestation of the potential of all employees of the institution.
Modernity
The SFedU Botanical Garden throughout its history has been actively cooperating withsimilar institutions, is a member of large Russian and international state and public organizations.
Cooperation and exchange of information, seeds, seedlings have been established with 20 botanical gardens of the Russian Federation and with 65 similar foreign organizations of state and private ownership. There are several unique objects on the territory of the garden, one of them is a source of mineral water named after Seraphim of Sarov (a revered Orthodox shrine). Also here is a steppe area of 10 hectares, which is considered the standard of vegetation of the steppe zone.
In the international classification, the university botanical garden is classified as a multi-purpose garden, where research, scientific, educational, cultural and educational activities are carried out in the field.
Reviews
Positive feedback from visitors to the Botanical Garden was left in favor of the opportunity to join nature without leaving the city. Everyone likes a large territory, traveling through which you can visit different geographical areas, see all the diversity of the local flora. Many liked the greenhouse with exotic plants. The opportunity to purchase seedlings and seeds, get on an excursion and just walk along the paths of the garden was positively evaluated.
The negative reviews state with regret the general impression of the abandonment of the garden. It is noted that throughout the territory there is a lot of uncollected garbage, traces of numerous fires. Some complain aboutdogs that have taken root in the garden, which, having huddled in packs, periodically attack vacationers. Most express the hope that these problems will be eliminated, and it will be possible to visit the recreation area safely and with pleasure.
Useful information
As part of cultural and educational programs, the SFedU Botanical Garden holds master classes on caring for plants, growing plants in the laboratory, studying plants at the cellular level, and many others. The tour plan includes general introductory activities, walks in open and closed ground, in different parts of the garden. A lot of time is devoted to lecture activities, consultations and expertise.
The SFedU Botanical Garden is waiting for its visitors. Its address: Rostov-on-Don, per. Botanical descent, building No. 7.
Excursions on weekdays are held from 09:00 to 14:00, on weekends - from 10:00 to 14:00. The cost for adults is 150 rubles, a children's ticket costs 100 rubles.
A great place to relax is the Botanical Garden of SFU. How to get here? Shuttle buses (No. 23, 93, 25, 50, 20) follow the garden to the Botanical Garden stop. There is also a city bus route number 15 (stop "Lesoparkovaya").
