Hidden within the Tagabe Agriculture area, the Chanel Sam Botanical Garden stands as a testament to Vanuatu’s rich and unique plant diversity. Home to species found nowhere else in the world, the garden is not just a sanctuary for rare flora but also a hub for conservation, education, and research.
The botanical garden is named in honour of Mr. Chanel Sam, Vanuatu’s first botanist and a respected figure in plant conservation. Senior Botany and Conservation Officer Presley Dovo, who played a crucial role in establishing the garden, explained the significance behind its name. “He was the first botanist in Vanuatu, dedicating his life to studying and preserving our native plants. Naming the garden after him is a way to honour his contributions,” said Dovo.
Mr. Sam, originally from Walarano, Malekula, dedicated over four decades to studying Vanuatu’s plant life. Beginning his career before independence under the French research organisation Office de la Recherche Scientifique et Technique d'Outre-Mer (now Institut de Recherche pour le Développement or IRD), he later played a vital role in the development of the National Herbarium of Vanuatu. Over his tenure, he participated in nearly every major plant expedition across the country, collecting over 2,000 specimens, a significant portion of the herbarium’s 20,000-strong collection.
