How PlantNetwork can benefit your organisation

Networking

PlantNetwork (formerly known as PlantNet) is the national network of botanic gardens, arboreta and other documented plant collections,

• Promoting botanical collections in Britain and Ireland as a national resource for research, conservation and education, and
• Facilitating networking and training among holders of plant collections through a programme of conferences and workshops and a regular newsletter.

PlantNetwork was launched in 1996 and liaises with a range of national and international organisations, including the Botanic Gardens Education Network, European Botanic Gardens Consortium and Botanic Gardens Conservation International. A regular programme of conferences, Technical Training days and Forum meetings take place throughout the year (see overleaf for recent examples).

As a member, you will receive:

• regular newsletters containing news and information from botanic gardens, arboreta and holders of other documented plant collections in Britain and Ireland
• invitations to special conferences, workshops and training sessions
• advice and support for yourself and others in your organisation
• opportunities to take part in collaborative activities with other botanic and heritage gardens and arboreta.

In addition you will be supporting and participating in a number of our national activities that are both of benefit to you as a collection and also ensure that you are actively involved in strengthening, enhancing and developing the sector in which we all work. The following PlantNetwork projects will all become part of your own Garden’s activities when you join PlantNetwork.

Forum groups

A number of special-interest forum groups hold regular one-day practical workshops to allow members to meet, compare notes and discuss problems. These meetings are open to PlantNetwork members only. The Plant Records Group addresses issues of record-keeping, data management, mapping and all matters associated with documenting plant collections. The Tree Forum discusses arboriculture, arboreta and all matters sylvicultural. The Glasshouse Forum brings together those involved in cultivating plants under glass. The Propagation Forum is the most recent group and shares experience in all aspects of plant propagation.

Promoting collections

PlantNetwork is assisting with the interpretation and understanding of international legislation, and appreciation of best practice, in the management and development of botanical collections. Emerging issues are dealt with at conferences or forum meetings, which are held twice a year.

Addressing the skills’ shortage

The historic and botanic garden and public park sectors are facing a major crisis in recruitment, retention and succession, which could lead to a decline of the sector in 15–20 years. PlantNetwork has initiated a major review of the entire botanical and heritage sector, which is being led by English Heritage. A bursary scheme is being proposed as part of the Heritage Lottery Scheme, giving access to training opportunities.

Plant Diversity Challenge

PlantNetwork is committed to incorporating the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation into all its programmes and policies, and to reporting back through Plant Diversity Challenge. We are specifically responding to a number of these targets:

• Providing methods for plant conservation based on best-practice by establishing an on-line Cultivation and Propagation Database for Red-Data-Book species of Britain & Ireland.
• Linking ex situ and in situ conservation of the British and Irish flora through a Target 8 Project carried out for PlantNetwork by the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The project aims to:
  • assess what is already in cultivation (this preliminary stage is already nearing completion)
  • increase the numbers of gardens growing endangered plants in order to:
    a) assist current conservation projects
    b) develop horticultural knowledge of threatened species
    c) tell the public about the flora of Britain and Ireland and its conservation
• bridge the ex situ / in situ divide, using horticultural knowledge to support academic and practical conservation measures.

Members

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, Askham Bryan College, Batsford Arboretum, Bedgebury National Pinetum, Belfast Botanic Gardens, Benmore Botanic Garden, Bicton College Garden & Arboretum, Bicton Park Botanical Gardens, Birmingham Botanical Gardens & Glasshouses, Borde Hill Gardens, Bristol Zoological Gardens, Brogdale Horticultural Trust, Buckingham Palace Garden, Cambridge University Botanic Garden, Capel Manor College, Castle Howard Arboretum, Chelsea Physic Garden, Chester Zoological Gardens, Cruickshank Botanic Garden, University of Aberdeen, Dawyck Botanic Garden, Duchy College, Rosewarne, Duthie Park Winter Garden, Dyffryn Gardens, Eden Project, English Heritage, Friends of Bedgebury Pinetum, Friends of Bristol University Botanic Garden, Friends of Dundee University Botanic Garden, Friends of Durham University Botanic Garden, Friends of Sheffield Botanical Gardens, Friends of Ventnor Botanic Garden, Friends of Winterbourne, Univ. of Birmingham, Glasgow Botanic Gardens, Granada Arboretum, Harewood House Trust, Harris Garden, University of Reading, Henry Doubleday Research Association, Hergest Croft Gardens, Highgrove, Howick Arboretum, Irish Garden Plant Society, John F Kennedy Arboretum, Kylemore Walled Gardens, Liverpool City Council Botanical Collection, Living Rainforest, Logan Botanic Garden, Longstock Park Gardens, Marks Hall Arboretum, National Arboretum, Castlewellan, National Botanic Garden of Wales, National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, National Trust, National Trust for Scotland, NCCPG, Ness Botanic Gardens, University of Liverpool, Oxford University Parks, Paignton Zoological & Botanical Gardens, Plantlife, Portmeirion Gardens, Reaseheath College, Rodbaston College, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Royal Horticultural Society Garden Harlow Carr, Royal Horticultural Society Garden Hyde Hall, Royal Horticultural Society Garden Rosemoor, Royal Horticultural Society Garden Wisley, Royal Parks, Sheffield Botanical Gardens, Sheffield Winter Gardens, Sir Harold Hillier Gardens and Arboretum, St Andrews Botanic Garden, Staunton Country Park, Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, Swansea Botanic Garden, Plantasia & Clyne, Syon Park, Talbot Botanic Garden, Malahide, Trebah Garden Trust, Treborth Botanic Garden, Bangor, Tregothnan Botanic Garden, Trentham Gardens, Tresco Abbey Gardens, Trinity College Botanic Garden, Dublin, University of Birmingham Botanic Garden, University of Bristol Botanic Garden, University of Dundee Botanic Garden, University of Durham Botanic Garden, University of Hull Thwaite Gardens, University of Leicester Botanic Garden, University of Manchester Botanical & Exp. Grounds, University of Oxford Botanic Garden, Ventnor Botanic Garden, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew at Wakehurst Place , West Dean Gardens & Arboretum, Westonbirt National Arboretum , Wildscreen @Bristol, Windsor Great Park & Savill Garden, Writtle College, Yorkshire Museum Gardens, Zoological Society of London

As well as personal members from a range of gardens

With advice and support from Botanic Gardens Conservation International and Stanley Smith (UK) Horticultural Trust

Recent meetings

Click here for a list of previous meetings.

Further information

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