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Dr. Darach Lupton

  • National Botanic Gardens of Ireland
  • Head of Botany and Conservation Department, Oman Botanic Garden
  • Botanic Garden Conceptualisation and Design, Conservation Assessment, Conservation Horticulture, Public Engagement, Seed Conservation, Tree Conservation
  • Glasnevin, IE
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With a career spanning 25 years and multiple disciplines I have a wide range of expertise including research; teaching; plant conservation; ecological assessments; population genetics; plant cultivation; living collections and seed bank curation; botanic garden staff and operations management; financial management; HR management, including conflict resolution; diversity and inclusion, and staff recruitment. I am proficient in a wide range of word processing, data management and analytical computer software. I have developed and managed numerous projects and published popular and academic articles, book chapters. A passionate communicator, I present botanical and horticultural topics to specialist and general interest audiences around the world. I have a comprehensive knowledge cultivated and wild plants – with emphasis on the floras of Ireland the Arabian Peninsula.

As Head of Botany and Conservation at Oman Botanic Garden (OBG) I am a member of the senior management team. I am closely involved with a range of management roles including garden operations; developing and managing departmental strategies; collections policies; budget planning; staff recruitment; staff training, and the development of international partnerships. I am the focal point between the scientific, living collections, and education departments – promoting and ensuring interdepartmental communication and cohesion.

From 2012 to 2016 I was a key member of the OBG master-planning and design team. The international multidisciplinary team made up of global experts in science, engineering, architecture, landscape design, education – interpretation and business planning produced an exceptional botanic garden masterplan and detailed garden design. From 2016 to 2020 I have been an integral part of the OBG operations and advisory team ensuring the integrity of the design intent and overseeing the construction and planting of two state of the art glasshouse-biomes, visitor center, education spacies, five external habitats, extensive amenity landscape spaces, cafes, shops and outdoor event spaces. The OBG project is truly innovative and globally unique in its mission and vision – being an important part of its inception and development has provided me with a comprehensive set of skills and experiences.

Areas of Expertise
Botanic Garden Conceptualisation and Design
  • Botanic Garden Planning, Concept, and Strategic Development Expertise
    • Formulation of purpose and objectives (vision and mission)
    • Logical framework development
    • Strategic plan development
    • Business plan development
    • Strategic plan and master plan review and re-development for existing institutions
  • Botanic Garden Feasibility Study Expertise
    • Feasibility study development
  • Botanic Garden Design Expertise
    • Design brief
    • Master plan
    • To-scale plan drawings and specifications
    • Tender brief development
  • Botanic Garden Construction Planning Expertise
    • Tender evaluation and selection
    • Construction drawings and specifications
    • Costings for construction
  • Botanic Garden Facility Construction Expertise
    • Access infrastructure
    • Public greenhouses
    • Production greenhouses
    • Seed bank
    • Herbarium
    • Library
    • Visitor facilities
  • Botanic Garden Governance Expertise
    • Government
    • Academia
Collections
  • Botanical Inventory and Collection Expertise
    • Identification
    • In situ survey
    • Collection of germplasm
    • Genetic representativeness
  • Ex situ Collection Type Expertise
    • Seed banking
    • Herbarium Specimen
    • Living plant collection
    • DNA banking
  • Living Collection Management Expertise
    • Planting and establishment
    • Irrigation
    • Pruning
    • Safe work practices
    • Curation
    • Nursery management
    • Data management
    • Plant exchange
    • Genetic representativeness
  • Propagation Techniques Expertise
    • Seeds
    • Cuttings
    • Layering
    • Grafting
Conservation Assessment
  • Conservation Assessment Expertise
    • National conservation assessments
    • Global conservation assessments
    • Red List Index
Public Engagement
  • Educational Expertise
    • Biodiversity conservation
    • Plant science
  • Audience Development and Social Inclusion Expertise
    • Including indigenous knowledge
    • Capacity building
  • Educational Practices Expertise
    • Science communication
    • Interpretation
    • Inquiry Based Science Education
    • Working with diverse audiences
Research
  • Plant Growth Form Expertise
    • Trees
    • Shrubs
    • Ferns
  • Seed Banking Research Expertise
    • Seed dormancy
    • Seed set
    • Seed viability
  • Research Expertise
    • Conservation genetics
    • Horticulture
    • Education
    • Ex situ conservation
    • Pollination biology
    • Seed biology and conservation
    • Evaluation
Seed Conservation
  • Ex situ Storage Behaviour Expertise
    • Orthodox
  • Seed Conservation Best Practices Expertise
    • Cool (0 to 15C)
    • Cold (-20 to 0C)
Sustainability
  • Urban Greening Expertise
    • Native plant gardening
    • Community gardening
Tree Conservation
  • Tree Climbing Expertise

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Geographic
  • Geographic Region Expertise
    • Asia
    • Europe
  • Habitat Type Expertise
    • Deserts and xeric shrublands
    • Temperate broad leaf and mixed forests
    • Wetlands (e.g. lake shores, bog, marshes)
Services
  • Services Available
    • Advice
    • Consultancy
    • Mentorship
    • Research
    • Training
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