The World Monuments Fund (WMF), traditionally known for its work preserving historic monuments, has recently expanded its focus to include "historic green spaces" such as parks and gardens. This shift underscores a broader commitment to cultivating resilience in the face of climate challenges. The expansion comes alongside WMF’s 25-year involvement with the restoration of the Qianlong Garden in Beijing’s Forbidden City, which reopened to the public in 2025.
The WMF’s new programme includes a diverse range of projects worldwide. Among these are a sacred forest in Nigeria, historically patterned agricultural fields designed for potato cultivation in the Peruvian Andes, and the tree canopy of New York’s Central Park. Analysis by Kew Gardens has found that under 9% of the park’s trees are vulnerable to future climate conditions, providing a hopeful outlook for its green infrastructure. The vegetable garden at Versailles, also known as the potager, remains a key site in the WMF’s portfolio. Thanks in part to support from philanthropist Bunny Mellon and funding from the Gerard B Lambert Foundation, these initiatives aim to protect and enhance heritage green spaces while adapting to environmental pressures.
In London, the WMF is pursuing several projects with a focus on resilience and climate adaptation. One notable example is the Tower of London moat, historically a site of military defense since the 11th century and now an evolving habitat. In 2022, a "Superbloom" event planted 20 million wildflower seeds in the moat’s floor, attracting public attention. Following this, the WMF launched a pilot scheme to evaluate climate and soil conditions for future planting efforts. Although invasive plants like ragwort and thistles have appeared, plans for the next planting phase are under discussion for implementation in the coming months.
Another key project is the restoration of St George’s Church in Bloomsbury, designed by architect Nicholas Hawksmoor and completed in 1731. The church had fallen into significant disrepair before the WMF’s interventions between 2002 and 2008. Today, it serves both religious and community functions, with income from its basement tenants and the Museum of Comedy supporting its upkeep. A plaque inside honors Paul Mellon, a major benefactor known for his love of England, horses, sports, and art.
Central to the WMF’s efforts in London is the restoration of the Palm House at Kew Gardens, a landmark glasshouse originally built between 1844 and 1848 by architect Decimus Burton and engineer Richard Turner. Celebrated for its historical, technical, and botanical significance, the Palm House faces a £66 million restoration aimed at transforming it into a “net zero” building. Half the funding has already been secured, including contributions from the WMF, with further fundraising efforts planned.
The restoration will involve repairing or replacing approximately 16,000 glass panes, installing new silicone gaskets to improve sealing, reviving the original roof vent design to enhance airflow, and shifting to sustainable heating systems powered by air and heat pumps. Rainwater will be used to water plants instead of mains water. This approach aims to reduce energy consumption and the environmental impact of maintaining the facility.
Kew’s restoration work aligns with broader trends in botanical garden conservation, including net zero glasshouses in Pittsburgh and Sarasota, Florida, the latter also designed to be hurricane-resistant. The renowned Enid A Haupt Conservatory in New York underwent a major restoration completed in 1997 and a dome upgrade in 2019.
Despite some criticisms framing the Palm House as an outdated symbol of colonial botany or as environmentally unsound, supporters emphasize its educational and conservation value. The glasshouse is home to both common and endangered tropical species, including the rare Ravenea moorei palm from the Comoros Islands. Believed extinct in the wild until rediscovered in 2025 on the slopes of the Karthala volcano on Grande Comore island, the species is now carefully propagated at Kew, illustrating the critical role such institutions play in biodiversity preservation.
The Waterlily House at Kew is expected to reopen in 2027, coinciding with the start of the Palm House’s transformation. When complete, the Palm House will be surrounded by a restored Victorian bedding parterre, aiming to revive its historical splendour. The WMF and private donors remain key to sustaining these efforts, emphasizing resilience and conservation in the face of ongoing environmental challenges.