News published: 27 March 2024

Recognizing the critical need for urgent plant conservation efforts, Species360 and BGCI have partnered to address the global loss of plant species and habitats. The two non-profit organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding this month, which will foster collaborative efforts between Species360, BGCI and global botanical gardens to protect plant diversity.

After 50 years of supporting global collaboration on animal species through record keeping and conservation science initiatives, Species360 expanded its mission to encompass flora in addition to fauna when it brought plant management platform Hortis into the fold. Hortis is focused on the role plant records can play not only for individual institutions but also in the context of global research and conservation efforts. BGCI – the largest plant conservation network in the world, representing botanical gardens in over 100 countries worldwide – works to promote an efficient and rational approach to plant conservation in botanic gardens.

At the root of the partnership is the concept that reliable plant collection data is critical to furthering plant and fungi conservation efforts. Both Species360 and BGCI will work to inspire active records keeping, improve data standards, promote the development of data-driven analytics, and facilitate the exchange of information on plant species and populations to contribute to the conservation of plant diversity.

Additionally, Species360 will collaborate with and support BGCI in their development of best practices for information related to plant conservation, including plant identification, monitoring, the responsible exchange of material, species recovery and habitat restoration. They will also promote collaboration between botanical institutions to increase the impact of conservation efforts. To this end, Species360 has ensured representation of botanical gardens and plant conservation on its Board of Trustees by welcoming Dr. Paul Smith, Secretary General of Botanic Gardens Conservation International to serve on the Species360 Board.

Jim Guenter, Species360 Chief Executive Officer, said: “We want to call much-needed attention to the multitude of threats facing plants, and the urgent need for conservation action. We are very excited about this partnership with Botanic Gardens Conservation International, and we look forward to a fruitful partnership to protect plant diversity.”

Dr. Paul Smith, Secretary General, Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), said: “Botanical gardens conserve more than a than a third of plant diversity in their living collections and seed banks. It is essential that this material, and its associated data, is shared and used for species recovery and habitat restoration. We are delighted to be working with Species360 to raise data standards, and to ensure that plant material and associated information is used to prevent plant species extinctions.”