Urbanization, lack of contact with the natural world, and growing up removed from agriculture has contributed to a void of knowledge relating to food and food production, along with a phenomenon known as plant blindness.

Successful programs of crop wild relative (CWR) exploration, conservation, and utilization are ultimately dependent on sustained public prioritization and support, which in turn requires public awareness and engagement.

During this webinar Jennifer Schwarz-Ballard took us on a whistle-stop tour of the history of Chicago Botanic Garden's community work, some of their inspiring current projects, like