The use of biodiversity for human wellbeing is an explicit influence on botanic garden policies at all levels and in all locations. For example, in 2003 participants at the first conference of Indian botanical gardens emphasised the importance of medicinal plants for primary healthcare, and their commitment to supporting sustainable livelihoods.
The output of this conference, the Lucknow Statement on Botanic Gardens of India, stressed "the fundamental importance of plants as the basis for all life on Earth and as an essential resource for human well-being".
Individual botanical gardens also have goals that are related to improving human well-being. For example, the principles of sustainable development expressed during the 1992 Rio conference directly informed the creation and aims of the Botanic Garden "ORSTOM" in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This garden researches domestication to provide useful species for cultivation, that allow local communities to more easily meet their food and healthcare needs, whilst protecting forests that would otherwise be destroyed in attempts to meet these needs.
On the other side of the world Earth Ethnobotanic Garden, focuses on the conservation of medicinal plants, investigates the potential uses of plants, and communicates this information to local communities, which reflects the aim of the whole university to balance "environmental awareness" and "social commitment".
Many activities of gardens are linked with aims to contribute to human well-being. Although some of these activities, such as education or research, may not appear to benefit human lives directly their fundamental importance cannot be overstated.
Education is a key component of any project that wishes to inform and enable people to improve their lives. For example, in Uganda, Makere University Botanic Garden used lectures and demonstrations to educate women and childrens groups in the usefulness of certain plants species: these groups have now set up tree and herbal nurseries to cultivate useful species, especially those that take a long time to reach maturity and those with multiple uses.
It is important that educators in botanical gardens are given the training and resources needed to communicate effectively the information and skills that can enhance the use of plants for wellbeing.
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