Marie Selby Botanical Gardens appointed William Cinéa, the founder of Botanical Garden of Les Cayes in Haiti, as a Research Associate. Cinéa, a botanist and conservationist, established Haiti’s first botanical garden without public funding. His work involves research, conservation, education, and promoting horticulture in Haiti.
William Cinea (left) and Dr. John L. Clark (right)
Bruce Holst, vice president for botany at Selby Gardens, praised Cinéa’s energy and motivation in promoting botanical gardens. The research and conservation efforts of Cinéa and his team are crucial in safeguarding Haiti’s rich biodiversity and endangered plant species.
Selby Gardens Research Associates collaborate on shared research interests and collections-based efforts, expanding publications, advancing botanical research, and growing collections. Cinéa has a long-standing collaboration with Selby Gardens’ scientists, including working with Dr. John L. Clark on an expedition resulting in the discovery of new plant species.
Cinéa expressed the significance of this appointment for botanical science in Haiti and looks forward to strengthening research and preservation of Caribbean flora with Selby Gardens’ support.
Apart from founding Botanical Garden of Les Cayes, Cinéa initiated various conservation initiatives in Haiti, such as Nature Design-Haïti, Société Haïtienne de Botanique, and Eco-Entrepreneur Pro.
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