Bergen botanical garden

From 2022 we support a research project together with University of Bergen department of Natural History and Bergen Botanical Gardens at Milde.

Alexander Qual, designer and partner at Rethink Studio, Heidi Lie Andersen, Associate Professor, Berit Gehrke, Head of Department The University gardens UiB, Kristin Lien Aa, from MATTAK and Marianne Preus Jacobsen, Project Manager at Vestre AS. Photo: Rugen André M. Njøtøy/Fanaposten

Very few, if any, studies have been done to find out which insects, birds, creepy-crawlies and other species find homes in habitats created by human beings, such as parks and urban spaces. But now an interdisciplinary research project will utilize eDNA (Environmental DNA) for the first time to identify species and study impacts over several years.

⁠The project, called BoBie, is part of a larger project that also involves making urban spaces more bird friendly, as well as trialling specially adapted urban furniture to boost biodiversity in habitats, such as city parks, that were initially hostile to wildlife. The BoBie project has received startup assistance from the Norwegian Environment Agency.⁠

Project partners are the University of Bergen (UiB), La Humla Suse, and Vestre - with furniture from the Vestre Habitats series. The objective of the Habitats series, which won the Danish Design Award for 2022, is to help preserve biodiversity in cities and urban neighborhoods. The 2022 Danish Design Award Winner.

Products

DECAY EDGE

EDGE offers the possibility to create thriving micro habitats by combining different materials like stone, wood, organic matter, soil, different plants and elements of water. In that way an environment where critters can both hide and feed.
Select model

HOUSE

The HOUSE bench makes it possible to arrange one or many logs and branches in a organised pile where the slow decay can be experienced by the user.

LEAF

LEAF is an insect hotel for giving insects a home in the heart of the city. The shape of the product is based on a stylised leaf. The design is minimalistic and also has a sculpture-like character which can easily be placed either alone or in groups.
Select model

LOG

The LOG bench makes it possible to arrange one or many logs and branches in an organised pile where the slow decay can be experienced by the user.
Select model

PILE

With the PILE bench, surplus materials from the garden in the form of large stones and gravel can easily be arranged to make stone piles.
Select model

WINGS

The limiting factor on bird numbers is not a shortage of food, but a lack of safe holes in which to nest. This problem could be overcome quite easily by putting up more nest boxes.
Select model

Where to find us

Bergen botanical garden are scientific collections of living plants. The plants are used in teaching, research, conservation, dissemination and recreation.