What is a CPC Participating Institution?

The Center for Plant Conservation is a network, uniting plant conservationists from botanical gardens, arboretums, and other plant-focused organizations working to save plant diversity for future generations. Currently 68 members strong, the CPC network is strengthened by the knowledge and experience that each institution brings. The CPC network brings together data, scientific prowess, and applied conservation experience to advance work that saves plants. As a result, CPC is a trusted authority on plant conservation science and practices.

Scientists in the Center for Plant Conservation network conduct ground-breaking research in rare plant conservation – building the foundation of good conservation practice. In leveraging data and experiences from across member institutions we are able to distill fundamental factors in plant conservation success. Over decades of this intensive collaborative work, CPC has developed guidelines that are trusted by plant conservationists around the world to Save Plants.

The Center for Plant Conservation not only binds plant conservationists together to spread and amplify their knowledge, but provides additional resources and support to members. CPC ensures members are equipped with the information and resources needed to best Save Plants.

Participating Institution Statistics

68
Participating Institutions
25
States & Territories
215
Conservation Officers
University of Chicago intern Jessica Zhong is assisting the Institute for Applied Ecology make a seed collection funded by the CPC's rare plant seed collection agreement with the US Forest Service Photo Credit: Maria Mullins

Member Benefits

Though the Center for Plant Conservation Saves Plants by providing information and resources to all, members are provided additional benefits.

  • Funding opportunities in connection with CPC led grant programs.
  • Access to online digital resources including a member’s only communication channel through the CPC Rare Plant Academy forum and seed accession transfer agreements/forms to USDA-ARS National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation
  • Networking opportunities with the top conservation experts at our annual CPC National Meeting
  • Privilege of nominating species in your care to the CPC National Collection to increase the visibility of your conservation work
  • Opportunities to contribute to works conservation research synthesis such as our CPC Best Practices Guidelines.
  • Technical support, guidance and community, facilitated through the CPC National Office, your go to connection on how to Save Plants
UCSC students Molly and Sheyna count seeds from El Dorado County for the Pine Hill Preserve Project. Photo Credit: Brett Hall, UCSC

Featured Member: University of Santa Cruz Arboretum and Public Garden

UCSC Arboretum and Public Garden has worked with students, such as Molly and Sheyna counting seed above, for decades. Recently, in joining CPC and participating in CaPR they have expanded their conservation work, finding support for making more rare plant seed collections and gaining infrastructure to better curate their collection.

Our Participating Institutions

* = Network Partners ** = Corporate Partners + = Research Partners
Become a Participating Institution

Learn more about how CPC can support your institution’s plant conservation efforts and what it takes to become a member institution.