When she talks about the red, brush-like flowers of the pōhutukawa, she is full of enthusiasm. Until recently, Sarah Bürli marvelled at the New Zealand Christmas tree (Metrosideros excelsa) in person in its native country, now in the Botanical Garden in Graz. Prior to coming to Graz at the beginning of January, she worked for two years in Aotearoa / New Zealand. At the Auckland University of Technology, Bürli worked on the restoration of native forests in partnership with Māori.
“Māori have a profound connection to the land. They are not merely owners; they are stewards, nurturing and safeguarding it for future generations.” Sarah Bürli wants to strengthen this idea at her new workplace: “The relationship between people and plants is important to me. It's also about ethical questions of how we treat nature.”
Reconnect with nature
The Botanical Garden plays an important role in the city. ‘It offers visitors the opportunity to feel comfortable and to reconnect with nature.’ And at the same time to recognise the responsibility we have as a society for the environment.
The fact that the Garden as part of the University of Graz is primarily a scientific institution, is another decisive factor for Bürli. She plans to conduct research on the ecology and conservation of rare and alpine plant species, investigating effective strategies to protect these plants amidst the profound changes climate change is causing in ecosystems. Here, the sees good opportunities for herself to apply her scientific expertise to the core research area climate change.
Favourite plant?
Does a botanist have a favourite plant? “Astrantia major,” she answers after a moment's thought. The flower reminds the Lausanne-born Swiss of her childhood in the Alps: ‘Of the insects whirring in the air and the intense sunlight.’ One of her favourite trees is the larch (Larix decidua) and, of course, the red flowers of the pōhutukawa, which Bürli can also enjoy in the Botanical Garden. And as its new scientific director Sarah Bürli will probably discover many more favourites among the 7,500 plant species in the Botanical Garden of the University of Graz.
After the retirement of Christian Berg, Sarah Bürli again completes the management team of the Botanical Garden. She is responsible for the research agendas, while Jonathan Wilfling is the technical director.