Dead Plants Society
Leeds Museums and Galleries partnered with Space2
Funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund
About The Project
Thanks to funding from the Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund, the new Dead Plant Society project will see Leeds Museums and Galleries teaming up with arts and social change charity Space2 to search through the 250,000-strong collection.
Together, they will find also new specimens in the field which will be added to the museum collection, discover stories about their community and chart how nature and biodiversity in Leeds have changed across the past two hundred years.
By comparing modern specimens with those collected in the past, experts hope they will even be able to measure changing levels of pollution and air quality in east Leeds over the centuries.
The Herbarium Collection
Leeds Museums and Galleries collection has a vast collection of about 250,000 prescious pressed plants. All collected over the last 300 years and most of them from the hills, valleys, wastegrounds, hedges and verges of Leeds and Yorkshire.
Stored at the Leeds Discovery Centre, the plants are now set to be studied by people living and working in the same area where they once grew, connecting their communities and ecosystems through time.
The herbarium collection is incredibly delicate, brown and light sensitive, and as such is rarely put in displays or used in workshops. We're excited to share the herbarium with Leeds communities and making more thorough local connections with the collection.
Space2
Space2, an award-winning arts and social change organisation, based in Gipton, aim promote social justice and sustainable futures through an innovative community arts programme.
They collaborate nationally and internationally to create shared stories that shape local conversations and action, and enable creative change supporting global climate justice.
A particular focus area will be Wyke Beck Way, and as Space2 is East Leeds based, we're particularly keen for people from Gipton, and beyond to get involved.
Get Involved
There is absolutely no background in plants, gardening or botany needed to get involved in this project!
Please get in touch with Space2 to get involved: DonnaC@space2.org.uk
Funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund.
