The Botanical Garden of the Canton Ticino (BRISS), owned by the canton since 2020, is located on Isola Grande on Lake Maggiore. It covers an area of 2.5 ha (6 acres) and includes over 2,000 taxa from biomes with a Mediterranean or subtropical climate all over the world: the Mediterranean Basin, the Cape region of South Africa, the Californian coast, the south-eastern coasts of Australia, and central Chile. As well as reconstructing these environments, which are amongst the richest in the world for their botanical diversity, the garden also contains various themed collections.
The garden is managed according to Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) guidelines and is a member of the International Plant Exchange Network (IPEN), as well as enjoying active partnerships with various regional, national and international bodies. It uses its expertise for scientific research in the field of botany and to protect biodiversity through targeted conservation projects. As well as a tourist destination, the garden aims to be a place of science and knowledge for the botanical, conservation and horticultural sectors.
