Netherlands

National Coordinators

Jeroen Balemans

Wageningen University & Research - Plant Sciences Group

Fascination of Plants Day

Aan de achtste editie van de “Fascination of Plants Day” 2026 (FoPD 2026) doen opnieuw plantenwetenschappers van over de hele wereld mee, onder de paraplu van de European Plant Science Organisation (EPSO).

Het doel van dit initiatief is om wereldwijd zoveel mogelijk mensen te enthousiasmeren voor planten en plantenwetenschap — als basis voor landbouw, de duurzame productie van gezond voedsel, de tuinbouw, de bosbouw en de ontwikkeling van plantaardige non-foodproducten zoals papier, hout, chemicaliën, energie en geneesmiddelen. Ook willen we de bijdrage van planten aan natuurbehoud en een leefbare planeet onderstrepen.

Research

Crop Wild Relatives utilisation and conservation for sustainable agriculture Innovative high-value cosmetic products from plants and plant cells The European Infrastructure for Multi-scale Plant Phenomics and Simulation Chicory as a multipurpose crop for dietary fibre and medicinal terpenes

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May 15

Jun 15

10:00

16:00

Fascination of Plants – Outdoor exhibition

Fascination of Plants - Outdoor exhibition

Utrecht Science Park - Botanic Gardens

All

Outdoor

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Plants are everywhere. They feed us, sustain ecosystems, and shape the world we live in. Yet plant research tends to happen quietly behind laboratory doors, and we, the plant researchers, don’t often share it with the public. Why?

Does it have to do with the type of research? With the public’s perception? Or maybe it is more complex? It certainly seems to be. Moreover, the main aim of plant research is to fulfil the goal of generating knowledge. Can plant research also have other purposes?

Join us at the Insect Meadow of the Botanic Gardens as part of Fascination of Plants celebration. Fascination of Plants Day (18 May) is a worldwide initiative that invites researchers to share their work with the public. This year, we have created an outdoor exhibition that will run from the 15th of May to the 15th of June, 2026. Here, you can look at some of Utrecht University’s researchers’ and students’ answers to these questions and share your own with us by scanning the QR codes.

On the 12th of June, from 11:45 to 14:00, join us for food and drinks as we discuss all of your responses, as well as hear from scientists who have had an impact on society with their research, and admire some beautiful scientific images taken by some of our researchers. More information on how to join this closing event in the exhibition.

Utrecht University - BarrierFates consortium

Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht

Mariana Vega Blanes

m.vegablanes@uu.nl

May 20

09:00

17:00

Fascination of Plant Day Wageningen: Unique high-tech plant excursion with your class!

Wageningen University & Research

Students

Indoor

External

On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, the Netherlands Plant Eco-phenotyping Centre (NPEC) on Wageningen Campus will open the doors of its state-of-the-art greenhouses and climate chambers. Give your students (senior general secondary education/pre-university education) a glimpse into the future of plant science.
🌱 How do plants respond to drought or heat?
During this free tour and workshops, students will discover it for themselves, right in the heart of the research lab of the future.

This is the perfect opportunity to connect biology with tangible, current research on climate change. An inspiring day that can also help students choose their future studies.

Wageningen University

https://www.wur.nl/

Rick van de Zedde

rick.vandezedde@wur.nl