As Seen on RPA: Introduction to Exceptional Species

As you advance through CPC’s Applied Plant Conservation Course curriculum, you’ll learn the best practices for creating and maintaining a successful conservation collection — directly from leading scientists within our network of botanical institutions. In Module VII of the course, you’ll be introduced to the specialized protocols developed to best conserve exceptional species — non-orthodox species that cannot be conserved long-term using conventional seed banking methods.

In this video, Dr. Valerie Pence, Director of Plant Research with the Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden uses the case study of Oaks (Quercus spp.), discussing the challenges and showcasing the conservation science and methodology used in botanic gardens and arboreta to secure exceptional species, including living collections, field gene banks, and cryopreserved long term storage.

The Applied Plant Conservation Course is a free professional development training for those working with rare and native plants at any stage of their career. Enroll in the course.