An amended and updated Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) was endorsed by the world’s governments at the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) meeting in Nagoya in October 2010 (CBD COP10). This worldwide strategy seeks to halt the continuing loss of plant diversity, recognising that: “Without plants there is no life. The functioning of the planet and our survival depends on plants.”

The latest GSPC contains 16 targets under five updated objectives:

I: Plant diversity is well understood, documented and recognised;

II: Plant diversity is urgently and effectively conserved;

III: Plant diversity is used in a sustainable and equitable manner;

IV: Education and awareness about plant diversity, its role in sustainable livelihoods and importance to all life on Earth is promoted;

V: The capacities and public engagement necessary to implement the Strategy have been developed.

While some EU instruments are dealing with the other major causes of biodiversity loss – namely habitat change, climate change, overexploitation and pollution – there is currently no comprehensive instrument at EU level to tackle invasive alien species. Responding to this gap, the Commission adopted a Communication by the Commission: “Towards an EU Strategy on Invasive Species (2008)“.

In 2011, the EU biodiversity strategy to 2020 was launched, including the target: “by 2020, Invasive Alien Species (IAS) and their pathways are identified and prioritised, priority species are controlled or eradicated, and pathways are managed to prevent the introduction and establishment of new IAS” and an action aiming at filling policy gaps in combating IAS by developing a dedicated legislative instrument by 2012:
COM(2011) 244

The Commission is preparing a dedicated legislative instrument on Invasive Alien Species. In preparation of this instrument the Commission is now seeking views on the more specific choices to be made when establishing this instrument.

If you wish to take part, please complete the questionnaire at: ec.europa.eu/environment/consultations/invasive_aliens.htm.  The consultation closes on Thursday 12 April.

Kilmacurragh, in County Wicklow, is famous for its conifers and calcifuges. It was planted during the nineteenth century by Thomas Acton in association with the curators of the National Botanic Gardens at Glasnevin. During the early part of the twentieth century, the estate passed from the Acton family and fell into a state of neglect. Today, it is managed by the National Botanic Gardens, and the legacy of many wild-collected plants makes it an exceptional garden.

Mount Congreve, in County Waterford, is a 70-acre, intensively planted estate, renowned for its woodland gardens, with a 4-acre walled garden. Major collections of rhododendrons, magnolias and camellias reflect the passion of the late Ambrose Congreve for collecting. The forest of Magnolia campbellii trees is one of the major sites of this remarkable garden.

17 April: transport will leave the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, in Dublin, at 11am for a tour of Kilmacurragh with Seamus O´Brien and Matthew Jebb; and then leave in the late afternoon for the Waterford House Hotel, just outside the town of Waterford.

18 April: tour of Mount Congreve in the morning and Altamont, County Carlow, in the afternoon, leaving in time to arrive back in Dublin by 5pm.

Booking

The cost, including meals, B&B, transport (from Dublin to Kilmacurragh and Mount Congreve and back to Dublin) and entry to and the tours of the gardens is likely to be about £190 to £200. If you would like to come, please let us know as soon as possible.

First flyer (amended 02 February 2012)

A recent research study has been completed at Ness in creating a ‘sustainability framework’ upon which to build a vision and define future development plans aimed at making Ness self-financing. The study will be published early in 2012 and made available to delegates.

Booking form

Speakers from a range of, gardens, parks, estates and companies will consider different methods of sward maintenance, whether and when to irrigate and – the biggest problem of all – weed control that reduces the use of resources. So, come and share your ideas and experiences, bring yourself up to date on the latest techniques and take a fresh look at your current practices, with a view to managing your garden in a more sustainable way.

Booking form

For more information see the “Fascination of Plants Day” website.

Follow updates on @plantday2012 on Twitter.

www.defra.gov.uk/food-farm/crops/tree-health/
www.fera.defra.gov.uk/showNews.cfm?id=500
www.forestry.gov.uk/newsrele.nsf/AllByUNID/E17EAB8777252AEA8025792D0034C9D0

The plan includes a theme on ‘public & stakeholder engagement’.  PlantNetwork will be involved in this aspect, as part of the Parks and Gardens Biosecurity Working Group.

For further details on how to take part and an application form, see www.bgci.org/education/communitiesinnature

Contributions are welcome from:
- Industries,
- Academic researchers,
- Organisations, Indigenous and Local Communities (ILCs), NGOs and others with interest in the field of genetic resources (GR) and associated traditional knowledge (TK).

The consultation can be found online at ec.europa.eu/environment/consultations/abs_en.htm

Deadline for submission is the 19th December 2012

1. Understand the legal context
2. Appoint a volunteer co-ordinator
3. Consider giving volunteers higher-value work
4. Train volunteers to be your public face
5. Monitor and evaluate volunteers' contribution