The UK Garden Sentinel Network (UKGSN) is a collaboration between PlantNetwork, Observatree https://www.observatree.org.uk/ and Botanic Garden Conservation International https://www.bgci.org/
This initiative is UK-focused and brings together the UK’s network of plant collections (PlantNetwork) with the network of citizen scientists already mobilised through Observatree, supported by tree health diagnosticians and other plant health experts.
Heritage gardens encapsulate a significant amount of the natural and cultural capital that sustains us during life: tranquility, beauty, productivity and biodiversity. Safeguarding these values requires knowledge and skill. Research and experience show that there is a growing shortage of people with the skills needed to look after the green outdoor spaces in Europe, particularly those with a complex horticultural history and content. Craft Skills for Garden Conservation aims to address those shortages by bolstering awareness, expertise and skills within the conservation of historical gardens as cultural heritage.
There are more than 900 botanic gardens in Europe, most of which are members of national networks linked under the European Botanic Gardens Consortium.
These botanic gardens receive more than 120 million visitors each year and are the major way in which the people of Europe can gain access to information on the diversity and importance of the world’s plants. Many botanic gardens in Europe are also leading institutions of world significance in botanical research, plant conservation, education and horticulture.
Established in 2013, the IPSN is a collaborative network bringing together botanic gardens/arboreta, research institutions, National Plant Protection Organisations (NPPOs) and plant health experts worldwide. Coordinated by Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), the IPSN aims at providing a vital early warning system, identifying and sharing information about new and emerging pest and pathogen risks.
