News Published: 02 May 2024, updated 09 May 2024.

Today marks an important day for conifer conservation worldwide! We are so pleased to announce the launch of the Global Conservation Consortium for Conifers (GCCC). The GCCC is working to bring together the world’s conifer experts, conservationists, and the botanic garden community to ensure that no wild conifer species becomes extinct. 

To mark the occasion we’re planting out six Wollemia nobilis given to us by Sydney Botanic Garden which form part of a global metacollection for the ex situ conservation of this Critically Endangered conifer species.

The first step for anyone keen to participate in a Consortium is to sign up as an Affiliate for each Consortium of interest. Additional roles (Species Stewards and Steering Committee Members) will then be invited in consultation with the Lead Institution for each Consortium. Consortium Affiliates may or may not be officially associated with a botanical institutions, and do not hold a formal role in a Consortium. Affiliates commit to the Statement of Intent, receive communications about consortium activities, and may support, collaborate, or advise on any Consortium activities.

BGCI is incredibly proud of the GCC’s that are working around the world for plant conservation. With the launch of the GCCC, we now have 10 Consortia which are currently active (with another planned to launch later in 2024), these include 382 affiliates from 237 institutions across 54 countries – it is such an amazing network of experts and professionals who are all working to prevent extinctions and preserve biodiversity.