Botanic garden solutions to the plant extinction crisis
Botanic gardens and arboreta have evolved significantly from their origins as oases
reserved for the elite, to the conservation powerhouses they are today, visited by
over half a billion people annually. Now, with their sophisticated facilities and botanical
expertise, gardens are uniquely positioned to address many of the challenges
associated with preserving plant diversity for the benefit of people and the planet.
Globally, however, resources for and awareness of these efforts are limited. Funders,
governments, corporations, and global citizens need to greatly increase their support
of gardens, recognizing the critical role they play in a scientifically informed, coordinated,
global effort to save plants from extinction – because all life depends on plants.