Alexandru Borza bust in the Botanical Gardens, Cluj

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Alexandru Borza, a renowned Romanian botanist, Greek-Catholic priest, and honorary protopop of Cluj, played a pivotal role in introducing Scouting to Romania as part of a group of professors, physicians, soldiers, and other influential individuals. In 1923, he established the esteemed Cluj Botanical Garden, which now proudly bears his name. The Retezat National Park, Romania's first nature park, was founded in 1935 through his initiative. As the president of the General Association of the Uniate Romanians (AGRU) before World War II, Borza faced brief arrest in 1948 after the Communists took power in Romania. His tireless efforts were later recognized with post-mortem membership in the Romanian Academy in 1990. Borza is also credited with pioneering the legal protection of Nymphaea lotus f. thermalis during his tenure as the Government minister in charge of education.