The Botanical Garden is most often associated with plant collections, but the 50th anniversary of its founding is a very good opportunity to remember the people who worked there and without whom the Garden in its current form would not exist. Nearly 1,500 people have worked at the Garden over these fifty years. This is a considerable number, but it is important to remember the times in which it was created. In the 1970s, when deciding to build it, one had to reckon with the fact that most of the work would have to be done by one's own efforts. Therefore, in the first years, many workers of various specialties and trades were employed: bricklayers, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, drivers, equipment operators, workshop workers. Of course, there were also horticulturists, botanists, foresters, farmers establishing collections, as well as scientific workers. The accounting and administration department was also extensive. It's worth mentioning that in those days the Garden employed a doctor, as well as employees connected with the military. In the early 1980s, the Garden employed more than 300 people at a time. Later, at the end of the 1980s, the number of employees building the Garden's structures began to decline, while the number of employees involved in the creation and maintenance of collections as well as scientific staff increased slightly. Administration and accounting were also reduced. At the beginning of the 21st century, the Garden had only about a hundred employees, and today the number is hovering around 90. We will not mention any names in this short note, but it is worth noting that during these fifty years the Garden has been managed by only four directors and their ten deputies. There were 11 people in the position of chief accountant or performing such duties, and the very important position of head of human resources for the operation of the Garden was held by only five ladies.

It is also worth looking at the length of service of the employees hired: there were some (though not many) who worked at the Garden for just a month or less, but on the other hand, as many as 75 people can boast at least 20 years of service, and 12 of them have worked at the Garden for more than 40 years.

Thank you!