On the occasion of the Botanical Garden's 220th anniversary, Gottfried Albrecht Germann's badges of the University of Tartu Natural History Museum and Botanical Garden were awarded

Estonia's most species-dense garden, The University of Tartu Botanical Garden, celebrated its 220th anniversary in June. The celebrations started with the Nature Festival, which this year took place from 7 to 11 June across Estonia, and continued with a big party on 27 June. 

The celebrations of 27 June started at 8 am with a visit to the grave of Gottfried Albrecht Germann at Raadi cemetery. At 1 pm, a tree-planting ceremony was held in Vanemuine Park to mark the first location of the Botanical Garden. Fraxinus bungeana A.DC. was selected for planting. A. G. von Bunge, named after the tree, was the longest-serving botanical garden director. The Mayor of Tartu, Urmas Klaas, the Head of Development of the University of Tartu, Taivo Raud, the Director of the Natural History Museum and Botanical Garden, Urmas Kõljalg and the Head of the Botanical Garden, Jüri Sild, planted the tree. 

Last year, when the University of Tartu Natural History Museum celebrated its 220th anniversary, the Gottfried Albrecht Germann badge was established. The medal recognises staff members of the Natural History Museum and Botanical Garden and individuals from outside the Natural History Museum and Botanical Garden who have made an outstanding contribution to the institution's development and fulfilling its aims. This year, the Germann Medals were awarded on the occasion of the Botanical Garden's anniversary. They were awarded to gardener Tiiu Tõnson, botanist Kersti Tambets and Head of Mycological Collections at the Natural History Museum Ave Suija. The badges were presented by Taivo Raud, Head of Development, University of Tartu. 

The festive day ended with a musical performance by the Lonitseera band in the Botanical Gardens' alpine garden. Lonitseera is an Estonian alt-pop ensemble consisting of Kaisa Kuslapuu (vocals, piano), Katariina Tirmaste (flute, backing vocals), Kristin Kaha (backing vocals), Mart Nõmm (contrabass) and Tõnis Kirsipu (percussion). 

Until the end of August, the exhibition "The Green Treasury", curated by Inge Kukk and dedicated to the 220th anniversary of the University of Tartu Botanical Garden, will be displayed in the classroom. The exhibition will show how the Botanical Garden has changed over the years and includes architectural drawings, various garden plans and old photographs that have never been seen before.