Applied Plant Conservation Course

The Center for Plant Conservation’s Applied Plant Conservation Course is a free professional development resource that serves to train our current and future botanical workforce in the best practices of rare plant stewardship and conservation. 

The Applied Plant Conservation Course, features nine overarching subject modules:

  • Module I: Introduction to Rare Plant Conservation – Available Now
  • Module II: Ensuring the Conservation of Rare Plant Genetic Diversity – Available Now
  • Module III: Where Rare Plants Live: Now and In the Future – Available Now
  • Module IV: Assessing Wild Plant Populations – Available Now
  • Module V: Rare Plant Reintroductions – Available Now
  • Module VI: Collecting Seeds for Conservation Collections in Long-term Seed Banks – Available Now
  • Module VII: Conservation of Exceptional Species – Available Now
  • Module VIII: Propagation and Horticulture of Rare Plants – Available Now
  • Module IX: Tools and Partnerships – Available Now

What Can You Expect From the Applied Plant Conservation Course?

Video Lectures by Leading Experts • Real-World Case Studies • Animated Lessons • Pre- and Post- Course Survey • Quizzes • Personal Reflections Journal

Before you Begin:

  • Pre & Post Course Survey – Help us understand how this course is being used and how we can continue to make improvements for future learners. Access the survey here.
  • Reflections JournalDig deeper and connect what you’re learning to your personal and professional projects. Download the Reflections Journal and use alongside the course. A great tool if you want to present to your team or supervisor about this training. Available as: Google Slides or Microsoft PowerPoint

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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

 

 

Course Information

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Module I: Applied Plant Conservation Course Introduction

Module I: Why We Conserve Rare Plants

Module I: The Nature of Plant Rarity

Module I: Rare Plant Resources and Conservation Ranks

Module I: Rare Plant Ecology

Module I: Rare Plants on Public Lands

Module II: The Importance of Rare Plant Genetic Diversity 

Module II: Measures of Rare Plant Genetic Diversity & Population Structure 

Module II: Genetic Issues Related to Maintaining Collections

Module II: Evaluating Genetic Information for Land Management Decisions

Module III: Theory Behind Plant Species Distribution & Ecological Niches 

Module III: Characterizing Habitat Suitability for Rare Plants Through Species Distribution Models

Module III: Using Species Distribution Models to Make Conservation Decisions

Module III: Managing Habitat to Benefit Rare Species

Module IV: Conducting Botanical Surveys for Rare Plants

Module IV: Monitoring Design

Module IV: Rare Plant Site Ethics

Module IV: Rare Plant Population Models and Modeling Plant Demography in R

Module IV: Making Management Decisions from Population Models 

Module V: Overview and Planning a Reintroduction

Module V: Knowing Species Reproductive Biology

Module V: Genetics of Reintroductions

Module V: Choosing One Source Population or Mixing Sources for the Founding Population

Module V: From Nursery to Field

Module V: Selecting the Suitable Recipient Site and Recipient Site Assessment

Module V: Adaptive Reintroductions – Generate Hypothesis, Test, Evaluate Cycle

Module V: Monitoring and Sharing Information

Module V: Adjusting Monitoring to Species Life History

Module V: Examples of What Can Be Done with Monitoring Data

Module V: Characterizing Successes and Failures in Reintroduction

Module V: Common Reasons for Reintroduction/Mitigation Failure

Module VI: Planning a Seed Collection

Module VI: Seed Collection Day

Module VI: Cleaning Orthodox Seeds & Evaluating Seed Quality

Module VI: Drying Seeds

Module VI: Storing Seeds 

Module VI: Germination Trials

Module VI: Small Collections 

Module VI: Collecting and Processing Cacti, Agaves, and Yuccas

Module VII: Introduction to Exceptional Species

Module VII: Tissue Culture

Module VII: Cryopreservation

Module VII: Field Gene Banks

Module VIII: Propagation and Horticulture of Rare Plants for Restoration & Ex-Situ Preservation

Module VIII: Propagation and Horticulture Resources

Module VIII: Propagation from Seed 

Module VIII: Propagation From Cuttings

Module VIII: Strategic Management of Conservation Collections in Pots and In-Ground

Module VIII: Special Propagation and Horticultural Considerations for Unique Plant Groups

Module IX: Tools and Partnerships