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The newly completed Wertheim Conservatory at University Park, a facility that supports the study of tropical botany, was dedicated on April 29 at an event with Sir Ghillean T. Prance, director of the world renowned Royal Botanic Garden at Kew. Prance was also awarded with an honorary doctorate at Commencement exercises the following day. Named in honor of its benefactors, Dr. Herbert and Nicole Wertheim, the conservatory and adjacent case study room have several functions. The 3,000-square-foot conservatory houses a botanical collection representing the taxonomic and morphological diversity of the humid tropics. This new facility adjoins an existing greenhouse and laboratory complex. The environmental control system of the conservatory consists of a step controller, gas heater, exhaust fans, automated sprinkler system and fog system. The developing plant collection will feature species that cannot survive Florida's dry season and occasional cold spells. Many species in the conservatory have been collected by FIU faculty during their research travels in Costa Rica and Malaysia. The Wertheim Conservatory is the site of activities for the education and enjoyment of the FIU community as well as outside visitors. Introductory biology and several botany courses are using the collections. The Department of Biological Sciences has been holding seminars in the case study room and several plant societies hold their monthly meetings there. |
