1. Invasive Plants and Horticulture in CA
Christiana Conser
Project Scientist
PlantRight, Sustainable Conservation
Invasive Ornamental Plant Symposium
Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL
October 3, 2013

2. To address ongoing use of invasive plants for gardening and landscaping in California

3. Steering Committee
Plant
Science
Industry
Nonprofits
Government

4. PlantRight’s Approach
To phase out horticultural invasive plants in a:
voluntary,
collaborative, and
science-based fashion. 4

5. Why Voluntary? We recognize that:
It is still legal to sell many invasive plants.
No legal precedence showing liability for damages caused by invasives.
New regulations requiring appropriations are currently challenging to (1) pass, and (2) enforce.

6. Why Collaborative? We recognize that:
Horticulture is a huge industry in CA.
Greatest chance of success working with the nursery trade, rather than against.
Ornamental plants provides real benefits and value to our society

7. Why Science-Based? We recognize that: It builds credibility
It takes subjectivity out of the equation
It provides common ground to build on

8. Past Work to Present
Convened steering committee 8

9. Past Work - 2006 to Present Convened steering committee
Developed invasive plant & recommended alternatives list 9

10. Past Work - 2006 to Present Convened steering committee
Developed invasive plant & recommended alternatives list
Identified nursery supply chain 10

11. Past Work - 2006 to Present Convened steering committee
Developed invasive plant & recommended alternatives list
Identified nursery supply chain 11

12. Research and Technology
Plant Hunters
Breeders
Propagators
Growers
Wholesalers
Landscape
Pros
Retailers
Consumers
stakeholders
Nursery Supply Chain
assets
PRE
Research and Technology
PRE
Database
Educational Content
Tools and Resources

13. Past Work - 2006 to Present Convened steering committee
Developed invasive plant & recommended alternatives list
Identified nursery supply chain
Conducted outreach/education 13

14. Current Work
Updating Plant List

15. Current Work
Updating Plant List
Plant Risk Evaluation (PRE) program

16. Research and Technology
Plant Hunters
Breeders
Propagators
Growers
Wholesalers
Landscape
Pros
Retailers
Consumers
stakeholders
Nursery Supply Chain
assets
PRE
Research and Technology
PRE
Database
Educational Content
Tools and Resources

17. Current Work Updating Plant List Plant Risk Evaluation (PRE) program
Photo | UC Davis Arboretum 17

18. Current Work Updating Plant List Plant Risk Evaluation (PRE) program
Retail Partnership program

19. Research and Technology
Plant Hunters
Breeders
Propagators
Growers
Wholesalers
Landscape
Pros
Retailers
Consumers
stakeholders
Nursery Supply Chain
assets
PRE
Research and Technology
PRE
Database
Educational Content
Tools and Resources

20. Research and Technology
Plant Hunters
Breeders
Propagators
Growers
Wholesalers
Landscape
Pros
Retailers
Consumers
stakeholders
Nursery Supply Chain
assets
PRE
Research and Technology
PRE
Database
Educational Content
Tools and Resources

21. 2005
2006
2006
2007
2008
2010

23. How do we deliver?

24. Retail Nursery Partnership
shared goals
commitment
trust

25. Partner Resources Study guide
Plant list with alternative recommendations
Video
Quiz
Certificate of achievement
Trivia
Articles
Select events

26. Retail Nursery Partnership Evolution
July 2012
Cal- HIP meeti ng
August 2012
Septembe r 2012
October 2012
November 2012
December 2012
January 2013
February 2013
Cal- HIP call
March 2013
April 2013
May 2013
June 2013
July 2013
Stakeholder outreach/surveys
Development of pilot materials
Pilot program
Retail Nursery Partnership Evolution

27. 6 stores 46 staff graduates Pilot Program Profile July 2012
August 2012
Septembe r 2012
October 2012
November 2012
December 2012
January 2013
February 2013
March 2013
April 2013
May 2013
June 2013
July 2013
6 stores
46 staff graduates
Pilot program
Pilot Program Profile

34. Christiana Conser www.PlantRight.org PlantRight Project Scientist
Sustainable Conservation