These best practices represent a compilation of previous CPC guidelines with updated

The below case studies were collected and shared in a September 2018 Newsletter from the Center for Plant Conservation. 

Ulmus americana (American elm) was an important urban tree in North America prior to the introduction of the Dutch elm disease pathogen in 1930. Subsequently, urban and community forests were devastated by the loss of large canopies.

October 17 Morning Sessions at University of British Columbia:  

As gardens across North America endure the most severe natural disasters on record including hurricanes, floods, and wild fires, it is important to consider collections coverage and security.

The humble Cast Iron Plant, mainly represented by Aspidistra elatior, is a well-loved garden plant worldwide. Most would be surprised to hear there are more than 90 recognized species, with more being discovered and described yearly.

“Which plants should I grow, and how many?” The IMLS National Leadership Project, Safeguarding our Tree Collections, seeks to answer this fundamental question.

Access and benefit-sharing (ABS) refers to the way in which genetic resources
may be accessed, and how the benefits that result from their use are shared
between the people or countries using the resources (users) and the people or

Cycads are the most endangered of plant groups based on IUCN Red List assessments; all are in Appendix I or II of CITES, about 40% are within biodiversity ‘hotspots,’ and the call for action to improve their protection is longstanding.

The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), with its 16 plant conservation targets was originally adopted by the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 2002.