Imagining Futures

This workshop explores the traditional process of assembling a herbarium specimen, inspired by Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s collections. Participants learn scientific techniques for pressing and mounting dried plants on old paper, practice botanical labelling and nomenclature, and select specimens to create a personal herbarium sheet. The session examines preservation methods, identification principles and the historical context of Rousseau’s approach, combining practical skills with scientific insight to produce a lasting botanical object.

In French.

This interactive memory challenge invites participants to test their memory while exploring practical ways to preserve biodiversity based on Geneva’s municipal strategy. Players match “before-and-after” images that illustrate individual and institutional actions, and each correct pair reveals concise information explaining the measure. The activity examines themes such as habitat restoration, species-friendly practices, urban greening and policy responses, helping participants understand the impact and rationale behind everyday and organisational conservation choices.

Yves Lottaz, aromatologist, and the mediation team bring practical expertise in scent analysis and plant extracts based on scientific research and collection work.

The workshop challenges participants to identify seven natural extracts — barks, spices and seeds — and to recognise the molecules that define each plant. Combining herbarium specimens, chemistry and perfumery, the session examines how these species contribute to health, heritage and daily aromas.

In French.

This session explores the diversity and conservation of aromatic and medicinal plants conserved in the Geneva Botanic Garden’s living collections and herbarium. It examines rare species listed under CITES and the threats they face, and presents field projects led by Brazilian, Malagasy and South African partners to protect habitats and sustain local livelihoods. Participants learn how botanical collections inform conservation action, research priorities and policy responses for preserving health, heritage and biodiversity.

In French.