May 2017 News - Center for Plant Conservation

May 2017 Newsletter

CPC’s National Meeting was hosted by Participating Institution San Diego Zoo Global on May 4-6, 2017. The CPC National Meeting, a gathering of the country’s top plant conservation scientists, is one of the world’s prime opportunities for plant conservation professionals to gather and discuss emerging trends in the science of saving plants from extinction. This year the meeting was attended by nearly one hundred conservation professionals from around the country including representatives from 27 of CPC’s 43 Participating Institutions. Guests from several local, national and international organizations were also in attendance including the US Forest Service, American Public Gardens Association, Botanic Gardens Conservation International, Nature Serve, Institute for Applied Ecology, and Millennium Seed Bank Partnership-Kew Gardens.

The National Meeting Begins

Image of Dr. Peter Raven, Chairman of the Board, Center for Plant Conservation — Welcome by Dr. Peter Raven, Chairman of the Board, Center for Plant Conservation

Image of Dr. John Clark, President and CEO, Center for Plant Conservation — Welcome by Dr. John Clark, President and CEO, Center for Plant Conservation

Joan Yoshioka was the keynote speaker, seen here giving her keynote address.

Lightning talks (each only 5 minutes) from our Participating Institutions on topics ranging from conservation genetics, plant propagation and reintroduction effort to data analysis and information sharing opportunities. Highlighted the cutting edge work of each our Participating Institutions.

Image of Dr. Joyce Maschinski who led the brainstorming session on assessing challenges and opportunities of seed collections. — Dr. Joyce Maschinski led the brainstorming session on assessing challenges and opportunities of seed collections.

Break out groups reviewed and provided input to seed collection protocols which are key to plant conservation.

This year’s annual CPC Star Award, presented to one or more plant conservation professionals for their service to ending plant extinction, was awarded to Joan Yoshioka of the Hawaii Plant Extinction Prevention Program and to Anita Tiller of Mercer Arboretum in Houston, Texas.