Overview

The Royal Botanic Garden (RBG) of Jordan is a non-profit organization founded in 2005. It is located in Tell Ar-Rumman, Al Balqa Governorate, north of Amman, overlooking King Talal Dam.

The Garden covers two and a half mountains (1,800 dunums / 180 hectares / 445 acres) and has more than 300 m of elevation change within its boundaries.

Due to a variety of soil types and microclimates at the RBG, a high percentage of the plant species that grow naturally throughout Jordan can be hosted at the site.

While still in the early stages of development, construction and landscaping, the Royal Botanic Garden will be opening to the public soon.

The RBG is a non-governmental organization. Nonetheless, it plays an important role in the Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan prepared by Jordan's Ministry of Environment, to implement the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity ratified by the Kingdom in 1993.

The RBG ethos is to practice and advocate biodiversity conservation at the whole-systems level.

Two key premises guide our work.

The first is habitat-based conservation, such that we consider all biogeographic conditions, the complete watershed area, soil condition and exposure to the elements.

The second premise is that man is an integral part of the biotic whole. In contrast to many conservation approaches, the RBG does not exclude humans or livestock.

The Garden is intended to function as a giant demonstration site, showcasing sustainable living and environmentally compatible solutions that can be easily replicated by the average Jordanian.

 

Our work is divided into three main components:

1. Science and Conservation
The RBG aims to become an internationally recognized research facility for all aspects of biodiversity and conservation in arid-land environments. 

2. Education and Community Development
We are raising awareness and disseminating the results of our research on Jordan’s biodiversity to the public, while encouraging nature-related projects in local communities.

3. Sustainable Living
In addition to its botanical components, the Royal Botanic Garden will be a demonstration site for sustainable land use, water harvesting practices, and eco-living.

Components of the Garden

Upon completion, the Garden will include the following:

  • Visitor centre
  • Auditorium
  • Gift shop
  • Natural foods restaurant and café
  • Bedouin tent, picnic and play areas
  • Children's activity centre
  • Outdoor amphitheatre
  • 5 native Jordanian habitats re-created within the site: Deciduous Oak Forest, Pine Forest, Juniper Forest, Jordan Valley and Freshwater
  • 5 pavilions representing the above-mentioned habitats
  • Research centre, including a herbarium, nursery, seed bank, reference library and research huts
  • Sustainable living centre, for the development of natural materials
    and building methods
  • Community development centres, for our artisanal income-generating programmes, ceramic workshop and other projects
  • Traditional gardens
  • Medicinal plants gardens
  • Islamic gardens
  • Rock gardens
  • Pocket gardens
  • Garden of the senses
  • Hillside at the RBGMushroom gallery
  • Bee house
  • Butterfly house
  • Birdwatching huts
  • Scenic lookouts
  • 20 km of hiking trails
  • Waterfront dock and boat trail
  • Ecolodge