Forest Service Rare Plant Partnerships

The Forest Service Rare Plant Partnerships support conservation action by botanic gardens for rare plant species that occur on USDA Forest Service land, in the U.S. and U.S. territories.

These partnerships are made possible through a cooperative agreement between the Forest Service and BGCI-US. In general, partnerships should be structured as one year projects with budgets between USD $5,000 and USD $10,000.

Call for applications now closed.

About the partnerships

Project applications must satisfy the following conditions:

Project work is completed by personnel at a botanic garden, arboretum, zoo, or similar organisation.
Project deliverables are ideally achievable within a one year period, however no cost extensions are possible with justification.
Activities are focused on one or more rare plant species that occur on Forest Service land, including U.S. territories. A list of species thought to occur on Forest Service land with a G1 or G2 NatureServe status offers many candidates. Activities may focus on species not included in the list provided, and populations not occurring on Forest Service land, if appropriate justification is provided, including how populations on Forest Service land will benefit.
Projects on Forest Service land must be coordinated with local Forest Service personnel (the degree of involvement of Forest Service personnel may vary). If contacts at relevant Forest Service sites have not been established upon application, BGCI-US and Forest Service partners can facilitate making appropriate contact.
Activities are focused on herbaceous plants and non-exceptional (orthodox) species, however activities may focus on other plant types if appropriate justification of conservation need is provided.
The main project focus is on appropriate conservation action for the target species, with justification provided. Activities may include seed or other germplasm banking, out-plantings, molecular genetic studies, or any non-research activity falling within the Integrated Plant Conservation model. We encourage applications for projects involving wild seed collections or out-plantings to incorporate the methods of the Center for Plant Conservation Best Practices for Conventional Seed Banking and Rare Plant Reintroduction/Translocation. Description of how the proposed conservation action compliments any past or ongoing work for the target species is highly encouraged.
BGCI membership is not required to apply, however BGCI member organisations will be given priority.

Application & Reporting Process

The application has the following sections to be addressed:

Contact information
Proposal General Information
Partnership Criteria
Aim, Objectives and Activities
Evaluation
Risk Management
Budget
Additional Information

Applicants will be informed of the status of their application in approximately 30 days of the closing date. Successful applicants will be required to sign a partnership agreement with BGCI-US within 30 days of notification.

Successful applicants will be required to submit a final report upon completion of the project. A form will be sent to the successful applicant, which will require the following information:

A detailed narrative report describing the outcomes of the project using the metrics of evaluation described in the application.
A brief description of Forest Service collaboration outcomes during the project.
Photos and videos where applicable, which can also be shared with BGCI-US and Forest Service in real-time for posting on social media.
An itemised budget vs actual expenses (both direct and matched costs).

BGCI-US would like to acknowledge the wonderful collaboration of The Center for Plant Conservation and the Chicago Botanic Garden in helping to facilitate this new initiative.