The role of university botanic gardens in implementing the third mission

Abstract

The paper reveals a new dimension of implementing the third mission of a university - through the activities rolled-out by Russian universities in their botanic gardens. For urban residents, botanic gardens, in addition to their main functions, are gradually becoming a place for integrating different population groups, from schoolchildren to pensioners. These public spaces conduct active educational policies aimed at many segments of a broader university community, taking into account the experience of regional environmental organizations and international Associations of Botanic Gardens. The author argues that the ecological vector is a priority for productive communication of a university with regional and global audiences at the site of its Botanic Garden, which becomes a measure of the university entering upon the way of sustainable development.