Threatened Plants Project (TPP) research is already helping to increase recognition of the role of Plant Heritage, the National Plant Collections®, and heritage and amenity gardens which document and protect our shared plant heritage.
Results
18 workshops have been held to train volunteer listers and over 100 potential volunteers have attended.
46 genera have already been listed by volunteers, 52 more by staff, and members have signed up to list over 100 more.
Cultivars in 245 genera are being assessed for scarcity in the trade.
9 genera have been found to have no threatened cultivars.
56 genera do contain threatened cultivars, available from fewer than one nursery a year.
760 collections of national importance from 16 organisations are being checked for these threatened plants.
More than 50 genera are part way through collections checking.
More threatened plants exist in National Plant Collections® than anywhere else.
Threatened plants found only in a single botanic garden or private garden open to the public are rated as endangered in cultivation.
Almost half of cultivars investigated have not yet been found in any collection, and are rated critical in cultivation.
56 genera containing threatened cultivars rated as critical, endangered or vulnerable in cultivation are now ready for expert assessment.
In future practical action can be taken to conserve the most rare and worthy plants.
The Threatened Plants Project is currently funded until November 2012, thanks to initial support from the Finnis Scott Foundation, a three-year award from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, and others . A target of listing 15 genera has already been far surpassed. By 2012 we aim to be securing conservation plans. Progress is dependent on our much valued volunteers’ contributions for listing, collections checking, the provision of expert opinions, and offers of practical conservation once the most worthy plants are identified.
If you would like to participate (it is open to all interested parties, not just Plant Heritage members), please do have a read through the information here. You can also contact us to book a workshop for six or more people, which will introduce the project and show you how to make your own contribution. The next workshops will be in Dorset in February or soon afterwards.
Last updated 14/01/12