This campaign has been a true testament to the power of collective action and the shared passion for preserving our planet’s most vulnerable plants. To everyone who contributed, we extend our deepest gratitude. Your generosity will not only directly support the conservation of these 44 imperiled species but also provide critical resources to the dedicated scientists and practitioners working tirelessly to save them.

Achieving More Together

The ‘40 for 40’ campaign was conceived as both a celebration of CPC’s history and a call to action for the future. Since its founding in 1984, CPC has been committed to safeguarding North America’s rare and endangered plants through collaboration, innovation, and science-based conservation best practices. Over the years, the CPC National Collection has grown to encompass over 2,650 species, each one a unique and vital piece of our planet’s biodiversity.

Through this campaign, we invited our supporters to join us in sponsoring 40 of these plants, representing the incredible beauty and diversity of North America’s rare and endangered plants—from the iconic Venus’ flytrap of the Carolinas to the towering Torrey Pines of Southern California’s coasts. Every dollar raised directly supports the ex-situ conservation and stewardship of these plants, ensuring they are safeguarded in seed banks, tissue culture labs, and botanical gardens. Additionally, these funds bolster the critical work of the scientists who are developing innovative techniques and strategies to address the complex challenges facing these species’ survival.

A Campaign Built on Generosity

The success of the ‘40 for 40’ campaign would not have been possible without the incredible support of CPC’s Board of Trustees, who donated over $270,000 in matching funds to inspire others to give. Their leadership and generosity set the tone for the campaign, motivating donors across the country to contribute.

The response from our community was overwhelming and every gift made is a powerful statement of commitment to saving plants. Together, we exceeded our goal, raising over $478,000 between Board matching funds and general donations, and surpassing our original target of 40 sponsored species to reach 44—including reaching the Premium sponsorship level for several species. Every dollar raised through the ‘40 for 40’ campaign will have a lasting impact.

These funds will enable CPC Conservation Partners to:

• Conduct essential seed banking and propagation efforts to safeguard genetic diversity.
• Research and develop innovative restoration techniques to support plant recovery in the wild.
• Monitor and manage wild populations to address threats such as habitat loss, invasive species, and climate change.
• Train and support the next generation of plant conservationists to carry this critical work forward.

Among the 44 sponsored species are plants with incredible stories of resilience and hope—from orchids that rely on complex fungal relationships to survive to wildflowers teetering on the brink of extinction due to habitat fragmentation. Your support ensures that these species have a fighting chance, and your contributions fuel the work of conservationists across the CPC network who dedicate their careers to saving them.

Looking Ahead

While the ‘40 for 40’ campaign has come to an end, the mission of the Center for Plant Conservation is far from complete. With over 4,400 rare and endangered North American plant taxa targeted for inclusion in the National Collection, our work continues to ensure every one of these species is secured in conservation collections.

As we embark on the next chapter of CPC’s journey, we invite you to stay engaged—whether by sponsoring additional plants, joining us at the 2025 National Meeting, or spreading the word about the vital importance of plant conservation. To every donor who contributed to the ‘40 for 40’ campaign: thank you. Your generosity has made this milestone anniversary truly unforgettable.

We are grateful to all our partners and supporters who make up our broader conservation community. You have not only honored CPC’s history but have also paved the way for an even brighter future for plant conservation. Together, we are proving that when we unite around a shared purpose, there is no limit to what we can achieve.

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Learn more about CPC’s ’40 for 40′ campaign and the rare and endangered plant species sponsored from this special anniversary campaign.