The Applied Plant Conservation Course

The Center for Plant Conservation’s Applied Plant Conservation Course is a free professional development training designed to educate our botanical workforce in the best practices of rare plant stewardship and conservation. 

Bringing the CPC Best Plant Conservation Practices to Support Species Survival in the Wild to life, the course serves as an engaging, self-paced learning tool for anyone working with rare and native plants at any stage in their career. Participants will learn from leading experts in the field of plant conservation through dynamic video lectures real-world case studies, animated lessons, and more.

Partial funding for the Applied Plant Conservation Course is generously provided by:

BLM California | Agreement No. L20AC00413
BLM Colorado | Agreement No. L20AC00374
BLM Nevada | Agreement No. L20AC00266

Grow Your Skills in Rare Plant Conservation

Whether you’re a seasoned conservation practitioner or new to the field, the Applied Plant Conservation Course features a range of topics to help deepen your knowledge and expertise about working with rare and native plants. The course features nine overarching subject modules:

Module I: Introduction to Rare Plant Conservation

This introductory module explores the vital importance of rare plant conservation. Learn how plant diversity supports ecosystem function and human well-being, and examine the many threats driving plant extinction. Topics include the differences between native plants and weeds, natural causes of rarity, legal protections, conservation status rankings, rare plant ecology, and the stewardship of rare species on public lands.

Module II: Ensuring the Conservation of Rare Plant Genetic Diversity

This module takes an in-depth look at the role of genetic diversity in rare plant conservation. Explore why genetic variation matters, how it’s measured, and what it reveals about population structure. Learn how genetics guide the management of conservation collections and inform decision-making for land stewardship and species recovery.

Module III: Where Rare Plants Live: Now and In the Future

Where do rare plants live — and where could they thrive in the future? This module introduces species distribution and ecological niche modeling as tools to understand habitat suitability and guide conservation planning. Learn how to interpret these models and apply them to managing and restoring habitats that support rare species.

Module IV: Assessing Wild Plant Populations

Learn how to evaluate rare plant populations in the wild through field surveys, monitoring techniques, and population modeling. This module introduces key demographic tools used to assess population trends and inform management decisions. It also highlights the importance of conservation ethics when working in rare plant habitats.

Module V: Rare Plant Reintroductions

This module provides a comprehensive look at planning and implementing rare plant reintroductions. Learn how to select appropriate sites, source genetically appropriate material, and factor in climate change and horticultural best practices. The module also covers how to define success, evaluate outcomes, and avoid common pitfalls in reintroduction and mitigation efforts.

Module VI: Collecting Seeds for Conservation Collections in Long-term Seed Banks

Explore the science and strategy behind building effective conservation-quality seed collections. This module explores how to plan and execute field collections, clean and process seeds for orthodox storage, and follow best practices for managing a conservation seed bank. Special topics include germination trials, managing small or sensitive collections, and techniques for working with cacti, agaves, and yuccas.

Module VII: Conservation of Exceptional Species

This module introduces the tools and techniques used to conserve exceptional species—plants with seeds that cannot be conserved using conventional seed banking methods. Topics include identifying exceptional species, tissue culture and cryopreservation protocols, managing field genebanks, and the skills and equipment required for these advanced conservation strategies.

Module VIII: Propagation and Horticulture of Rare Plants

This module introduces core principles and practical techniques for propagating rare plants to support conservation goals. Learn about essential record keeping and resources, facilities and tools, and propagation methods using seeds, cuttings, and more. Special topics include strategies for working with challenging plant groups like orchids, oaks, ferns, alpine species, and cycads.

Module IX: Tools and Partnerships

The final module of the course introduces participants to innovative tools, platforms, and partnerships that support ongoing engagement in rare plant conservation. Explore CPC-developed resources like the Rare Plant Academy, Seed Targeting Modules, and other database tools designed to foster collaboration across the network. This module encourages continued learning, connection, and contribution to the shared mission of saving rare plants from extinction.

Get started by enrolling for this free professional development training!

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