The British Omani Society, as part of its annual lecture series celebrating Oman’s extraordinary natural heritage, organised a programme of visits to foster UK-Oman scientific collaboration, and highlight the work of Oman’s talented environmental scientists.
On Tuesday 28th October, the British Omani Society hosted our esteemed delegates, Dr. Masoud Al Azri, Director General of Marketing in Agriculture and Fisheries at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, Dr Laila Al Harthy, Head of Botany and Conservation at Oman Botanic Garden; Dr Khalid Al Farsi, Head of Horticulture at Oman Botanic Garden; Dr Amir Azad Al Kathiri, linguist and cultural heritage specialist from Salalah, for a full day of field visits and expert engagement focused on forestry research and horticultural innovation.
The morning began at the Holt Laboratory, Alice Holt Research Station, where the group was received by Christine Wilson, Head of Forest Protection, and her team. The visit offered an introduction to Forest Research and its critical role in safeguarding the UK’s woodlands. Delegates participated in a guided walk through the Arboretum with a pathology diagnostician, exploring the health of tree species and the challenges posed by pests and diseases.
The team demonstrated entomology collections and interception work, showcasing how threats to priority host trees are studied both in the lab and in the field. An open discussion followed, allowing Forest Research staff and Omani delegates to exchange insights on current challenges and opportunities in forest protection, with particular attention to Oman’s unique ecological context.
In the afternoon, the delegation visited Wisley, home of the Royal Horticultural Society. They were met by Jonathan Newell, Hilltop Live Public Engagement Officer, and guided through a series of curated experiences designed to highlight the breadth of Society's expertise.
Natalie Plumridge, Team Leader for the Glasshouse, led a tour focused on dry and arid environment plants, offering valuable parallels to Oman’s native flora and the management and maintenance of large Glasshouses. Louisa Neale, Horticulturist, guided the group through the Oudolf Landscape. Jonathan Newell then led the team through the Fruit Garden en route to the Hilltop Building, where Yvette Harvey, Keeper of the Herbarium, provided an in-depth look at the Society's scientific collections.
The day concluded with tea on the Sky Terrace, where the delegation met Tim Upson, Director of Gardens and Horticulture, and opportunities for future collaboration were discussed. A final walk through the Mixed Borders and past the Trials Garden and Old Laboratory offered a chance for a reflection on all the knowledge exchanged during the day.
The British Omani Society extends its sincere thanks to all those who contributed to the success of this visit, particularly the teams at Forest Research and the Royal Horticultural Society for their generous hospitality and expertise. We also thank Robert Whitcombe, one of our panel of Omani and British experts who form the Oman Natural Heritage Advisory Committee.
The programme of visits was made possible by the kind support of Amouage, our main sponsor, and Tom Kenyon-Slaney of London Speakers Bureau.
Read more about the Oman Natural Heritage Programme
Oman Natural Heritage Visits: Scientific Exchange in Cambridge
The 8th Oman Natural Heritage Lecture: The Scent of Time - Omani Frankincense from Antiquity to Innovation
Oman Natural Heritage Visits: A Tour of the Natural History Museum