The Swiss Orchid Foundation at the Jany Renz Herbarium, Basel, Switzerland

The Swiss Orchid Foundation was set up to care for an exceptionally rich botanical collection and library bequeathed to the University of Basel by the late Dr. Jany Renz. Subsequently, the University of Basel assigned the herbarium and the library to the foundation for revision and care so that this cultural and scientific heritage remains intact and accessible to researchers and collectors. In addition, the foundation ensures the continuation of the collections and that they persist as scientifical cultural assets of international importance.

The foundation capital for the establishment of the foundation was subscribed one half each by Dr. Thomas Renz, the son of Dr. Jany Renz, and by the "Stiftung zur Förderung der Pflanzenkenntnis", Basel.

The close co-operation among the University and the foundation becomes manifest in the mutual support in all the activities in connection with orchids and in Professors Dr. Christian Körner and Dr. Thomas Boller, heads of the Botanical Institute of the University of Basel, being members of the foundation board. The rectorate and the deanship of the scientifical faculty patronise the scientific continuation of the collections within the bounds of economic possibility. Insofar, the University of Basel has taken over the scientific patronage of the foundation.

The foundation with international and national importance is approved as a non-profit organisation and is subject to the direct foundation controllership of the Swiss Confederation. The foundation is a charitable institution fundend solely by private allocations, donations and organised events.

The Swiss Orchid Foundation, the herbarium and the library are located in the Botanical Institute of the University of Basel, Switzerland.