Nature in the city

Geneva is famous for its numerous high-quality parks and gardens which account for almost 20% of the municipal territory. They are managed by highly-competent staff. Discover the rich heritage of trees in Geneva and the important work carried out to manage, protect and catalogue them. Finally, explore the Bois-de-la-Bâtie animal park: initially intended to familiarise the urban population with the region’s wildlife, it now contributes to protecting heritage species.

Parks and gardens

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Geneva is renowned for its many quality parks and gardens, which constitute nearly 20% of the municipal territory.

Arbres particuliers dans un parc de la Ville de Genève

Evénements et activités autour des arbres

Découvrez de multiples activités et événements pour tous les publics autour de la thématique des arbres à Genève.

Bouquetins au parc animalier du Boise de la Bâtie.

The Bois-de-la-Bâtie animal park

A firm favourite with families, the Bois-de-la-Bâtie animal park offers residents of the city the chance to see some of our native animal species. Initially created to familiarise the urban population with the region’s wildlife, it now contributes to the conservation of heritage species.

Développement de la biodiversité dans l’environnement urbain et les espaces verts

Entretien différencié des espaces verts, création de milieux favorables à la flore et la faune indigène ou encore abandon des pesticides: nombreuses sont les pratiques mises en œuvre en Ville de Genève pour développer la biodiversité en milieu urbain.

The latest news

With a total of 912 trees, the Parks and Gardens Service has enjoyed a record planting season

To combat climate change and increase the extent of the canopy, the City of Geneva has adopted a proactive policy of tree planting. The planting target for next year has been set at 600 trees to meet the commitment of tripling the number of trees planted in relation to those felled. The lines of trees on Quai Capo-d’Istria and rue Saint-Léger have been completely revised.

A 100% natural rose garden in Parc La Grange

The rose garden has been inaugurated. This new area is blossoming on the site of the historic rose garden in Parc La Grange. Maintained without any phytosanitary products, this vibrant contemporary garden is attractive throughout the year thanks to the wide variety of flowers and shrubs planted there.

The City of Geneva is creating and renovating dog parks

In order to meet the demands of the population and the steady increase in the number of dogs in the city, three new areas are currently being created while seven existing spaces are under renovation. The work started at the end of March will be completed in June.

The City is innovating by drastically reducing the pruning of its trees to create more shade

To combat heat islands and foster biodiversity, the City of Geneva is introducing an original project of abandoning the practice of pruning its sculpted trees. Of the 1,370 trees concerned, 900 of them currently subject to “cat’s head” pruning will soon be allowed to take a semi-free form. This conversion will increase both the shade these trees offer and the extent of natural habitats for fauna.

Contrôle de la qualité des pataugeoires en Ville de Genève

The daily challenge of maintaining the paddling pools

A pleasant dip in the City’s magnificent paddling pools requires perfect water quality. This is ensured by the thorough daily maintenance work carried out by the staff of the Parks and Gardens Service of the City of Geneva (SEVE).

Lighter pruning of trees for more shade

To combat heat islands and foster biodiversity, the trees in the City of Geneva will be pruned more lightly. This new approach will help achieve one of the objectives of the revegetation policy of the City of Geneva, which is to increase foliage cover from the current level of 21% of the territory to 30% in 2030.

Rebirth of a historic orchard in Parc Beaulieu

A little haven of biodiversity at the heart of Geneva, the orchard planted and maintained by the City of Geneva Parks and Gardens department (SEVE) – in collaboration with Pro Natura and ProSpecieRara – boasts numerous species of fruit tree from yesteryear which attract a wide biological diversity.

vue de genève de haut, avec au premier plan des arbres coupés

The City is regenerating the beech wood in Parc La Grange and the forest in Bois-de-la-Bâtie

Some 1,300 young trees will be planted in the beech wood in Parc La Grange between the end of the winter and autumn 2021. Work will also be carried out to secure the rock outcrops, clear the land and redevelop the pathways in Bois de la Bâtie, where 1,500 young trees have already been replanted.

Differentiated management supporting biodiversity

The City of Geneva has adopted a differentiated management approach to its parks and gardens, offering nature more time and space.

Nesting boxes in the city’s parks

The practices adopted by the City of Geneva to foster urban biodiversity include implementing differentiated maintenance of parks and gardens, abandoning the use of pesticides and creating favourable environments for local flora and fauna. Every year, the Groupe Ornithologique du Bassin Genevois (GOBG) deals with the maintenance of the nesting boxes installed in the city’s parks.

Des employés du Seve plantent des arbres au parc de La Grange.

During the winter, the Parks and Gardens Service (SEVE) plants trees every day

In the four corners of the city, in the streets, the parks and the cemeteries, the SEVE pursues its planting campaign throughout the growing season.

A very rare plant appears in Geneva

Conserving plant heritage is one of the priorities of the Parks and Gardens Service (SEVE). A very rare plant, the Sison amomum, has been discovered in Parc Trembley in November 2020, demonstrating the benefits of the extensive culture implemented by the City of Geneva as part of its differentiated management programme.

Gardening advice

main en train de manipuler des plantons de tomates

Gardening at home

Discover advice and resources for gardening in the city. And don't miss the video presenting a series of gardening tips provided by the Parks and Gardens Service to help keep your fingers green throughout the year!

Composting at home is possible!

For fans of home gardening, making your own natural fertiliser for your plants by recycling organic waste is a very attractive idea. Discover all our tips and advice for composting at home.

Gros plan sur des plantons posés sur une table

Seeds and seedlings

There are several initiatives in the City of Geneva enabling city-dwellers to reconnect with nature and agriculture while encouraging biodiversity. In the city centre, gardeners growing plants on their balcony or outside their building and small-scale producers keen to experiment with new varieties can obtain local seeds or organic seedlings – for the most part old varieties.

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Nature in the city

Parks and gardens