The International Agenda for Botanic Gardens in Conservation A progress report on implementation Suzanne Sharrock BGCI

Presentation at 2WBGC, Barcelona, April, The International Agenda for Botanic Gardens in Conservation  Background  Registration  Progress in implementation

Presentation at 2WBGC, Barcelona, April, The International Agenda for Botanic Gardens in Conservation  Prepared 1998 to  Launched at World Botanic Gardens Congress (North Carolina, 2000).  Incorporates inputs from 300+ institutions & individuals

Presentation at 2WBGC, Barcelona, April, The International Agenda for Botanic Gardens in Conservation A framework for botanic garden contributions to plant conservation, environmental education and sustainable development

Presentation at 2WBGC, Barcelona, April, The objectives of the International Agenda  Provide a common global framework for botanic garden policies, programmes and priorities in biodiversity conservation.  Define the role of botanic gardens in the development of global partnerships and alliances for biodiversity conservation.  Stimulate the evaluation and development of conservation policies and practices in botanic gardens to enhance their effectiveness and efficiency.

Presentation at 2WBGC, Barcelona, April, The objectives of the International Agenda  Develop a means to monitor and record the actions undertaken by botanic gardens in conservation.  Promote the roles of botanic gardens in conservation.  Provide guidance for botanic gardens on contemporary issues in conservation.

Presentation at 2WBGC, Barcelona, April, The global mission of botanic gardens in conservation:  Stem the loss of plant species and their genetic diversity worldwide.  Focus on preventing further degradation of the world’s natural environment.  Raise public understanding of the value of plant diversity and the threats it faces.  Implement practical action for the benefit and improvement of the world’s natural environment.  Promote and ensure the sustainable use of the world’s natural resources for present and future generations.

Presentation at 2WBGC, Barcelona, April, Achieving the mission  Conservation  Research, monitoring and information management  Education and public awareness –Working in partnership with a wide range of organisations

Presentation at 2WBGC, Barcelona, April, Link with GSPC  GSPC adopted by CBD (CoP 6) April 2002  International Agenda recognised as an essential part of the achievement of GSPC and thus CBD

Presentation at 2WBGC, Barcelona, April, Spanish EnglishFrench International Agenda: published in the world’s major languages Russian Portuguese Chinese

Presentation at 2WBGC, Barcelona, April, International Agenda REGISTRATION Registration launched in botanic gardens from 71 countries registered to date Target of 300 participating botanic gardens by end 2004

Presentation at 2WBGC, Barcelona, April, International Agenda registrations

Presentation at 2WBGC, Barcelona, April, International Agenda registration

Presentation at 2WBGC, Barcelona, April, IA registration – why?  Indicate commitment to conservation  Local actions recognised internationally  Can contribute to obligations under CBD  Opportunity to review activities

Presentation at 2WBGC, Barcelona, April, IA registration – reviewing activities IA Section TotalDoing Consideri ng Not doing 2.2 National strategies Identification and monitoring Integrated conservation In situ conservation Total34 16 (47%) 10 (29%) 8 (24%)

Presentation at 2WBGC, Barcelona, April, IA registration  Total of 211 possible actions  No single garden will do all  Combined action will result in global achievements

Presentation at 2WBGC, Barcelona, April, IA registration  Letter of congratulations  Certificate of registration  Regular updates  Media kit  BGCI logo (for use in publications etc.)  List of registered botanic gardens

Presentation at 2WBGC, Barcelona, April, International Agenda – spreading the word  Workshops in the USA  Individual discussions in Canada  Introduced during training courses, conferences etc: India, China, Brazil, Indonesia, Europe, Russia, Australia

Presentation at 2WBGC, Barcelona, April, International Agenda  Some examples of implementation –Section 2.6 – Ex Situ conservation (USA) –Section Sustainable use of biodiversity (Vietnam) –Section Public education and awareness (India) –Section Information exchange (Colombia)

Presentation at 2WBGC, Barcelona, April, Ex Situ Conservation  Meadowlark Botanical Garden, USA –Initiated new regional native plant conservation programme in 1999 –Focus on flora of Potomac River Valley –Display and interpretation was central goal –Used IA to determine collecting strategies –Published information in BGCNews Vol 3(7) 2001

Presentation at 2WBGC, Barcelona, April, Sustainable use  Tan Dao National Park, Vietnam –Severe pressure on plants – medicine, food and fuel –BG established to provide plant material for home gardens and restoration –Based on anthropological surveys, ecological research, community trials –Staff trained in collecting, propagation, horticulture and nursery management

Presentation at 2WBGC, Barcelona, April, Public education and awareness  Grass-roots environmental education in India - Kodaikanal Botanic Garden –helping teachers to raise awareness among 36,000 primary school children and their parents –follow up activities: visits to KBG and natural forest, establishment of school gardens, cleaning up polluted environments, tree planting etc. –As a result, afforestation ongoing, school herb gardens, book on EE, EE via drama and songs. –BG with improved links and partnerships for education

Presentation at 2WBGC, Barcelona, April, Information exchange  Information management in Colombia National BG plan highlighted need for information network National BG plan highlighted need for information network Spanish version of BGCI’s BG-Recorder2 prepared and installedSpanish version of BGCI’s BG-Recorder2 prepared and installed National Information System established and shared between 13 BGsNational Information System established and shared between 13 BGs Over 21,000 records in systemOver 21,000 records in system Conservation responsibilities sharedConservation responsibilities shared

Presentation at 2WBGC, Barcelona, April, International Agenda – next steps  Targets for botanic gardens (in progress)  At least 500 registrations by 2006  Report to CBD based on presentations at Barcelona and information supplied to BGCI

Thank you!