The National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG) is a not-for-profit institution, dedicated to discovering, saving, and studying the world's tropical plants and to sharing what is learned.

In less than 50 years, the NTBG has grown to encompass nearly 2,000 acres of gardens and preserves. Thousands of species have been gathered from throughout the tropical world, through hundreds of field expeditions by staff and through collaborations with other institutions and researchers, to form a living collection that is unparalleled anywhere. This collection includes the largest assemblages of native Hawaiian plant species and of breadfruit cultivars in existence. Many of these plants are threatened and endangered or have already disappeared from their native habitats. In its preserves and beyond its properties, the NTBG is actively working to restore degraded habitats, further expanding its efforts to save plants that are otherwise faced with extinction.

NTBG's gardens are not only havens for imperiled plants - they are living laboratories for both staff scientists and visiting researchers from all over the world. An extensive research library and herbarium are located at NTBG's headquarters and a state-of-the-art conservation and horticulture center is in the adjacent McBryde Garden. Specialized collections at each of NTBG's gardens, which contain a variety of microclimates as well as significant historical and cultural features, afford in-depth research in a number of plant disciplines.

The gardens are living classrooms. Courses and activities - for layman, students, teachers, and professionals - reach a wide range of age groups and interests. Publications and tours of each of NTBG's gardens increase the public's awareness of the fragile state of many ecosystems and plant populations.

Chartered by U.S. Congress in 1964 as a non-profit, non-governmental entity. First garden in Lawai Valley (now named McBryde Garden) and established Headquarters, overlooking valley.
Added Maui site-Kahanu Garden.
Added north Kauai site-Limahuli Garden.
Added Florida site-The Kampong
Added under management agreement adjacent to McBryde Garden-Allerton Garden. Three preserves.