The School Programme Open Day will enable teachers to see first hand the new facility and how the garden can be used to inspire students' teaching and learning in a wide range of disciplines from art to science.

University staff will also be on hand to discuss teaching requirements and ways schools can benefit by using the garden as an educational resource.

School career advisors will be able to meet the newly established 'Bristol Horticultural Training Partnership' and learn about the educational opportunities available to school leavers who have an interest in the natural environment.

The new Botanic Garden opened to the public in March 2006. The garden has been designed with a strong evolutionary theme with four core collections: Evolution, Rare and Threatened Natives, Mediterranean Plants and Useful Plants.

Laid out in exciting displays the garden includes an evolutionary dell, a phylogeny display, Chinese and European Herb Gardens, a rock garden, a pool surrounded by native plants, together with a large glasshouse divided into four climatic zones; Sub Tropical, Warm Temperate, Cool and the Tropical Glasshouse zone.

Alan Stealey, Gardens and Grounds Manager at the University, said: "The educational potential of the developing Botanic Garden is virtually limitless as a dynamic resource of inspirational plants set out in an attractive and informative way.

"The plant collections can be accessed and enjoyed by people of all ages and disciplines and represent a teaching resource that can be used for future generations."

The School Programme Open Day will take place on Monday 19 March from 2 to 6 pm.