Seasonal opening Botanic Gardens
Starting March 1, you are welcome again at the Utrecht University Botanic Gardens. The first spring buds on the Stinzen slope are flowering already. What else can you expect this year?
Renovations
During the winter closure, work was done on major maintenance, such as the replacement of the 60-year-old bank protection of the fort canal, and some other renewals.
- The prairie area in the Discovery garden has been prepared for new plantings. Soon 50 to 60 species will be planted: true prairie plants that also occur in the wild and partially new to our collection. In this way, we hope to soon provide a fairly realistic picture of what the American prairies look like.
- A new entrance for pass holders of a campus card, Friends card, Museum card and USP partners (see yellow circle in photo).
- The new Evolution garden is being well underway with more planting, detailing of special plant groups and placement of artistic installations and informational signs.
Programming
Again this year we have a great program with various activities, including:
- Spring weekend: Facts & Myths about gardening on March 22 and 23 (mainly in Dutch);
- The official opening of the Evolution garden in June with several special activities;
- Scavenger hunts for children;
- Garden lab: the Green time machine;
- Summer evenings;
- Join the expert in several variations.
Check out the full annual program with something for everyone.
Furthermore, you can once again enjoy colorful butterflies in the Butterfly greenhouse and one of the largest rock gardens in Europe.
Another nice thing to know is that the shop assortment has been renewed and Tuincafé Botanica provides delicious food and drinks in the garden café and on the terrace.
Living Lab in the Spotlight: Utrecht Science Park
Utrecht Science Park is home to several living labs focused on energy and circularity. These include Lumifield, which explores the generation and storage of solar energy, and the biogas digester, which uses organic waste as an energy source. On their own, these are already promising initiatives. Connected, they could become something much bigger: a functioning, learning model for a circular campus.
From student idea during challenge to ReGreen Hut at Dutch Design Week
On hot summer days, temperatures can rise significantly at Utrecht Science Park, while students are looking for places to study, relax and find some shade outdoors. At the same time, planting trees is not always straightforward: underground, the campus is crisscrossed by a dense network of cables and utility lines. So how can we create shade, greenery and places to relax without major changes to the ground?
Utrecht Science Week kicks off: social and economic impact of Utrecht Science Park in the spotlight
The sixth edition of Utrecht Science Week takes place from Friday, 25 September to Sunday, 4 October. During this time, Utrecht Science Park opens its doors to the general public, showcasing how research, innovation, and collaboration lead to tangible societal and economic impact. At the same time, the week underscores the importance of sustained investment in knowledge and innovation.
Looking back at Utrecht Science Week: research, education, and entrepreneurship in the spotlight
Utrecht Science Week 2026 has come to a close. For over a week, visitors enjoyed workshops, lectures, group discussions, and tours focused on science and innovation at Utrecht Science Park. With more than thirty program activities across over 25 locations, there were ample opportunities to experience science up close. We look back on a fantastic week that once again highlighted the essential role of collaboration, and the combination of research, education, and entrepreneurship, in addressing the societal challenges of our time.