THE NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN IS A MUSEUM OF PLANTS AND A SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CENTER DEVOTED TO THE STUDY OF PLANTS AND THEIR USES. IT IS THE GARDEN'S MISSION TO IMPROVE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE NATURAL WORLD, HORTICULTURE, AND THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PLANTS AND PEOPLE. IT IS ALSO THE GARDEN'S MISSION TO EXPAND HUMANITY'S KNOWLEDGE OF PLANTS AND HOW THEY ARE UTILIZED.