Join CPC as an Institutional Conservation Partner

The Center for Plant Conservation is a network, uniting plant conservationists from botanical gardens, arboretums, and other plant-focused organizations working to save plant diversity for future generations. Currently 80 members strong, the CPC network of Conservation Partners is strengthened by the knowledge and experience that each institution brings. The CPC network brings together data, scientific prowess, and applied conservation experience to advance work that saves plants. As a result, CPC is a trusted authority on plant conservation science and practices.

Scientists in the Center for Plant Conservation network conduct ground-breaking research in rare plant conservation – building the foundation of good conservation practice. In leveraging data and experiences from across member institutions we are able to distill fundamental factors in plant conservation success. Over decades of this intensive collaborative work, CPC has developed guidelines that are trusted by plant conservationists around the world to Save Plants.

The Center for Plant Conservation not only binds plant conservationists together to spread and amplify their knowledge, but provides additional resources and support to members. CPC ensures members are equipped with the information and resources needed to best Save Plants.

Participating Institution

Participating Institutions (PIs) have mission statements either partially or wholly concerned with the conservation and appreciation of native plants. They use quality, science-based principles and recognized best conservation practices in their rare plant work including those specified in the CPC Best Plant Conservation Practices. They formally maintain and are responsible for documented ex situ collections of regionally rare taxa of conservation concern as part of the CPC National Collection. They are non-profit organizations, exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Examples of participating institutions include botanical gardens, arboreta, museums, or zoos.

Collaborating Partner

Collaborating Partners may conduct research, may make conservation collections of rare plant species, or perform other related work that directly supports the CPC mission. They may be either profit or not-for-profit organizations. IRS exemption is not required. Collaborating Partners may perform basic research or provide technical skills and services that support the CPC National Collection or the CPC mission in tangible ways. Collaborating Partners differ from Participating Institutions, as they do not hold ex situ collections of rare species that are part of the National Collection. They may be new practitioners, who do not currently have facilities for ex situ collections, but may send their seeds or plant materials to a CPC PI for long-term storage. Should Collaborating Partners obtain seed banking or cryopreservation capacity, they may apply to become Participating Institutions.

Network Partner

Network Partners are organizations, consortia or other regional, national or international organizations, whose mission aligns significantly with CPC either by promoting information sharing related to plant conservation, amassing ex situ conservation collections, building capacity and/or engendering public support for plant conservation. Network Partners hold a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with CPC. They do not hold ex situ collections of rare species that are part of the National Collection.

Institutional Conservation Partner Statistics

80
Institutional Conservation Partners
30
States & Territories
300
Conservation Officers
University of Chicago intern Jessica Zhong is assisting the Institute for Applied Ecology make a seed collection funded by the CPC's rare plant seed collection agreement with the US Forest Service Photo Credit: Maria Mullins

Member Benefits

Though the Center for Plant Conservation Saves Plants by providing information and resources to all, members are provided additional benefits.

  • Access to online digital resources including a member’s only communication channel through the CPC Rare Plant Academy forum
  • Access to seed accession transfer agreements/forms to USDA-ARS National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation
  • Networking opportunities with the top conservation experts at our annual CPC National Meeting
  • Technical support, guidance, and a sense of community facilitated through the CPC National Office–your go-to connection on how to Save Plants
  • Features in CPC outreach materials

Both Participating Institutions and Collaborating Partners may:

  • Contribute to CPC’s Best Practices Guidelines for plant conservation
  • Showcase conservation achievements on plants in the National Collection in plant profiles posted on CPC’s website
  • Be eligible for funding opportunities in connection with CPC led grant programs
  • Enter into contracts for work related to plant conservation actions and be eligible for benefits of any agreements or permits CPC holds that facilitate plant conservation work for the network

Additionally, Participating Institutions may:

  • Nominate species in their care to the CPC National Collection to increase the visibility of their conservation work

Network Partner may:

  • Be eligible to attend CPC National Meetings at member rates for one to five employees
  • Have opportunities to contribute data and/or expertise to CPC publications
UCSC students Molly and Sheyna count seeds from El Dorado County for the Pine Hill Preserve Project. Photo Credit: Brett Hall, UCSC

Featured Member: University of Santa Cruz Arboretum and Public Garden

UCSC Arboretum and Public Garden has worked with students, such as Molly and Sheyna counting seed above, for decades. Recently, in joining CPC and participating in CaPR they have expanded their conservation work, finding support for making more rare plant seed collections and gaining infrastructure to better curate their collection.

Our Institutional Conservation Partners

* = Network Partners ** = Collaborating Partner

Become An Institutional Conservation Partner

Learn more about how CPC can support your institution’s plant conservation efforts and what it takes to become an Institutional Conservation Partner.

Become An Institutional Conservation Partner