I: Advocacy and Public Policy

The aims and objectives of PlantNet are to:

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

The Strategy Plan not only informs and encourages the participation of members in developing and delivering PlantNet’s policy programme and activities, but also, importantly, tells the wider community about PlantNet’s interests and work on behalf of plant-collection holders.

PlantNet aims to build public recognition of its collective purpose and status.

To achieve this aim, PlantNet will:

• submit its views, information and advice to national and regional government studies, surveys and projects concerned with conservation, plant collections, biodiversity issues, plant sciences, education and horticulture
• take part in local and national discussions and initiatives to ensure that the potential of documented plant collections and those who work with them is fully recognised
• promote news events and press releases about PlantNet policies, and publicise achievements and activities of member gardens
• be a national and regional information resource, for the media and others, on botanic gardens, arboreta and other documented plant collections
• be an advocate in defence of plant collections, but especially those in PlantNet membership, which may be under threat for some reason
• draw up a list of events and opportunities for promoting documented plant collections as a national resource for research, conservation and education (promotion at such events will take place towards the end of the period covered by this Strategy Plan and into the next one).

The following policies are also relevant in delivering on Advocacy and Public Policy:

• L: Networking