Format: ORAL

Hannah Wilson

Abstract: Ex situ conservation is crucial for preventing species extinction, yet many conifer species are exceptional and cannot be preserved through traditional seed banks. These species must be conserved as living collections, a challenge compounded by the substantial space required for cultivating large, slow-growing trees. The International Conifer Conservation Programme (ICCP) at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh has pioneered a solution over the past 35 years, establishing a vast conifer conservation metacollection across the British Isles. This network spans over 270 diverse sites, from botanic gardens and private estates to zoos, hospitals, and hotels, encompassing over 23,500 individual plants and nearly half of all conifer taxa. This talk will explore the ICCP’s journey, emphasizing the unique benefits and complexities of collaborating with non-botanic garden partners. By expanding beyond traditional botanic gardens, the ICCP has enhanced its conservation capacity and created new opportunities for public engagement, education, and outreach. Special attention will be given to the educational and outreach efforts that have transformed participants from conservation novices to enthusiastic advocates. This talk will highlight the significant added value of non-traditional partnerships in achieving botanic garden conservation goals and fostering a widespread commitment to preserving threatened species