Zoos and Plant Conservation Day


Why Plant Conservation Day?

For some organisations, every day could be thought of as plant conservation day, but for zoos the primary conservation and education focus is animals rather than plants. Plant Conservation Day gives zoos the opportunity to focus on plants and their importance in the web of life. It is vital that zoos also look after the ecosystem in which animals live if they are serious about animal conservation. It is also a chance to build links with other organisations, including botanic gardens and universities, as many zoos will need outside expertise and help in order to participate effectively. In return, they offer other organisations a venue and an opportunity to promote plant conservation work to a new audience.

It’s not just about a single day of activities: the day can be used to launch and promote long-term projects and exhibitions, and I hope that this will help to build the overall capacity to do more conservation and education work.

Plant Conservation Day is a recent initiative of the Association of Zoological Horticulture; and Botanic Gardens Conservation International already has a web presence that can be found by searching “Plant Conservation Day\” or at: Care for the Rare

Is there a demand for such a move?

Horticulturists in EAZA conducted a snapshot survey, at their conference in Zurich in June 2007, to gauge the interest of zoos in participating in plant conservation work. It was completed by horticulturists from 31 EAZA zoos. The results, compiled by Bristol Zoo Gardens, were encouraging: many respondents are already doing work with plants:

  • 84% reported that plants were interpreted in their zoos
  • 68% have a plant-record system
  • 45% grow threatened native plants
  • 52% help protect threatened plant habitats
  • 23% sponsor plant research or botanical surveys.

There are signs that the amount of plant conservation work being carried out may increase; of those responding:

  • 77% could grow plants to help realise Target 8 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation
  • 94% had plans to interpret plants in their zoos
  • a number requested information about how to become involved in plant conservation.

These findings are not surprising when you consider that many zoos now have ecosystem-based displays and conservation projects, e.g. Masoala (Zurich) or those highlighted in this year’s EAZA Madagascar Campaign.

How can PlantNetwork members help?

Many zoos do not have much in the way of resources dedicated to plant conservation; so, in order to realise our aims, zoos will need your help. Activities will vary from zoo to zoo and region to region, but providing support and assistance to UK zoos, should they need it, would be a great start. You may be able to provide a speaker or information, loan an education exhibit or simply encourage them and point them in the right direction.

Plant Conservation Day has already been promoted in the UK and Germany through their zoo horticulture groups and the EAZA news groups. It has been well received, so we must now wait and see if we get the positive results that we hope for.

Plants need animals need plants need animals . . .

Eddie Mole
Head of Horticulture, Bristol Zoo Gardens
Chairman of the EAZA Plant Conservation Network
www.plantconservationday.org