Global Conservation Consortia | Botanic Gardens Conservation International

Global Conservation Consortia | Botanic Gardens Conservation International
Global Conservation Consortia | BGCI
Global Conservation Consortia
Collaboration | Coordination | Conservation
About GCC
Participate
Acer
Conifers
Cycads
Dipterocarps
Ebenaceae
Erica
Food Plants
Magnolia
Nothofagus
Oak
Rhododendron
Whitebeams
The Global Conservation Consortia (GCC) aim to mobilise a coordinated network of institutions and experts to collaboratively develop and implement comprehensive conservation strategies for priority threatened plant groups.
About the Global Conservation Consortia
Our mission is to accelerate effective conservation of global plant diversity. Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) is coordinating a suite of Global Conservation Consortia, which catalyse groups of institutions and experts to collaboratively develop and implement comprehensive strategies to prevent extinction of priority threatened plant groups. Primary objectives include coordinated
in situ
and
ex situ
conservation efforts and dissemination of species recovery knowledge.
Our Consortia
Multi-sector consortia delivering integrated plant conservation on a global scale.
The programmatic objectives of the Global Conservation Consortia are to:
Foster new and existing network(s) of experts;
Identify species of greatest conservation concern and prioritize conservation action;
Ensure effective
in situ
species conservation;
Establish, expand and manage
ex situ
collections of high conservation value;
Foster applied research (e.g. conservation biology, ecology, horticulture, population genetics, taxonomy) to support species conservation;
Build capacity to empower and mobilise in-country partners in diversity centres and across species’ ranges;
Increase public awareness and engagement with species conservation issues; and
Collaboratively fundraise to scale-up conservation action.
The Global Conservation Consortia are collectively coordinated by BGCI
BGCI collectively coordinates the Global Conservation Consortia through network development and support of consortia leadership, promotion of scientifically-informed best practices, facilitation of communication and data sharing, as well as provision of conservation prioritisation support. BGCI also provides institutional recognition for consortia collaborators, advocates globally for consortia, and mobilises conservation action through collaborative fundraising and provision of grant opportunities.
Donate
Donate to GCC
GCC News
Event
Workshop at Eurogard 10: An Introduction to the Global Conservation Consortium for Food Plants
Strengthening Global Food Security and Biodiversity Conservation. In-person workshop at Eurogard 10 in Rome on Thursday 25th of September.
News
28 August 2025
Sibbaldia Special Issue: Rhododendron in Living Collections
The Rhododendron Research Network will guest edit a special issue of Sibbaldia the International Journal of Botanic Garden Horticulture
Event
Global Conservation Symposium for Dipterocarps 2025
Sustaining Dipterocarpaceae: Setting priorities and taking action through regional networks.
News
15 July 2025
BGCI Hosts Seminar on Conserving and Restoring
Nothofagus
in Chile
Global Conservation Consortium for
Nothofagus
(GCCN) held a seminar on conserving, protecting and restoring these important trees
News
09 June 2025
Topical Collection: Systematics, Natural History, and Conservation of
Erica
(Ericaceae)
International collaboration publishes 12 new papers supporting conservation of threatened heather species
News
07 February 2025
First global Conservation Gap Analysis of Nothofagus species released
First global Conservation Gap Analysis of Nothofagus species identifies key needs for future of iconic genus
Example Resources
State of the World's Trees
Building living plant collections to support conservation: a guide for public gardens
Toward the Metacollection
Conservation Gap Analysis of
Nothofagus
The Red List and Gap Analysis of Oaks
The Red List of
Acer
: revised and extended
Each Consortium operates within a shared structure, comprising
Affiliates
Species Stewards
Steering Committee Members, and;
Lead Institutions.
Join as an Affiliate
Affiliates
The first step for anyone keen to participate in a Consortium is to sign up as an Affiliate for each Consortium of interest. Additional roles (Species Stewards and Steering Committee Members) will then be invited in consultation with the Lead Institution for each Consortium.
Consortium Affiliates may or may not be officially associated with a botanical institutions, and do not hold a formal role in a Consortium. Affiliates commit to the Statement of Intent, receive communications about consortium activities, and may support, collaborate, or advise on any Consortium activities in coordination with the Consortium Steering Committee and/or Species Steward(s), including but not limited to:
Scouting or collecting trips;
Population monitoring;
Research;
Taxonomic work;
IUCN Red List assessment compilation or review;
Ex situ
conservation projects (e.g. metacollection management and development);
In situ
conservation projects (e.g. reintroduction, habitat management, invasive species removal);
Fundraising, advocacy, and outreach.
More information about Affiliates
Species Stewards
Species Stewards of the Global Conservation Consortia are institutions, represented by named individuals, that commit to long-term management of priority species at:
Ex situ
sites such as at a botanic garden or other collection;
Near situ (or similar) conservation sites, such as plantations or reintroduction sites within the natural range of a species; and/or
Sites where priority threatened species grow
in situ
as part of the native ecosystem.
To become a Species Steward contact the relevant consortium lead to express your interest.
Learn more about Species Stewards
Steering Committees
Each Consortium Steering Committee (CSC):
Is composed of ~5-10 individuals and BGCI’s GCC Manager;
Develops Consortium work plan, sets goals, provides strategic advice on planning, funding, and implementation of activities, and monitors progress against Consortium objectives;
Responsible for coordination and recruitment of Consortium participants in assigned priority region, ensuring that the work of the Consortium is global in scope, providing broad geographic and institutional representation, focused in areas of high species diversity;
Recruits, reviews and approves new Species Stewards; and
Works with taxonomic experts and others as appropriate to assign each species to an operational region.
Learn more about Steering Committees
Lead Institutions
A single institution will be responsible for Consortium coordination, communication, and reporting at the global scale. The Consortium Lead:
Appoints an individual staff member to serve as Coordinator, main point of contact for the Consortium and Chair of the Consortium Steering Committee (CSC);
Operates on a 5-year term, renewable pending approval of BGCI and the CSC;
Coordinates Consortium activities, including research, conservation projects, and metacollections; tracks and reports such activities to BGCI, the CSC, and other stakeholders on an annual basis;
Recruits and coordinates the CSC, and facilitates Consortium communications in collaboration with BGCI’s GCC Manager.
Learn more about Consortium Leads
The Global Conservation Consortium for
Acer
works to bring together the world’s
Acer
experts, conservationists, and the botanic garden community to ensure that no wild
Acer
species becomes extinct.
Join as an Acer Affiliate
Led by the University of British Columbia Botanical Garden, in collaboration with BGCI and other partners from across the genus’s range, The Global Conservation Consortium for
Acer
has been initiated to address the conservation needs of wild
Acer
species.
The goal of the Global Conservation Consortium for
Acer
is to mobilise a coordinated network of institutions and experts who work collaboratively to develop and implement a comprehensive conservation strategy to prevent the extinction of the world’s
Acer
species.
Lead Institution:
University of British Columbia Botanical Garden
6804 SW Marine Drive
Vancouver, BC Canada V6T 1Z4
botanicalgarden.ubc.ca
For questions or more information, or if you are interested in learning more about current Global Conservation Consortium for
Acer
activities, please contact
Douglas Justice
, GCC for
Acer
Coordinator.
Current Steering Committee Members:
Anthony Aiello:
Longwood gardens, United States.
Dan Crowley:
Westonbirt Arboretum, United Kingdom.
Douglas Justice:
University of British Columbia Botanical Garden, Canada
Detuan Liu
: Kunming Botanical Garden, China.
Dr. Yalma Vargas-Rodriguez:
University of Guadalajara, Mexico.
Learn more about Acer
Supporters of the Global Conservation Consortium for
Acer
Main Resources
For more resources click here
The Red List of
Acer
: revised and extended
The Red List and
Ex situ
Survey of Maples
State of the World's Trees
The Global Conservation Consortium for Conifers works to bring together the world’s conifer experts, conservationists, and the botanic garden community to ensure that no wild conifer species becomes extinct.
Join as a Conifer Affiliate
Led by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, in collaboration with BGCI and other partners from across the group’s range, The Global Conservation Consortium for Conifers has been initiated to address the conservation needs of wild conifer species.
The goal of the Global Conservation Consortium for Conifers is to mobilise a coordinated network of institutions and experts who work collaboratively to develop and implement a comprehensive conservation strategy to prevent the extinction of the world’s conifer species.
Lead Institution:
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
For questions or more information about the
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
or if you are interested in learning more about current GCC for Conifers activities please contact
Hannah Wilson
, GCC for Conifers Coordinator.
Current Steering Committee Members:
Newly launched and looking for new steering committee members. Please get in touch if you’re interested in joining.
Learn more about Conifers
GCC for Conifers News
News
19 June 2024
Conservation Gap Analysis of Threatened Conifers
Make your collections count!  We are performing a conservation gap analysis for threatened conifers. Please share your collections data with us to help inform future conservation action!
News
02 May 2024
The Global Conservation Consortium for Conifers (GCCC) launches!
We are so pleased to announce the launch of the Global Conservation Consortium for Conifers (GCCC).
News
15 April 2024
Global Botanic Garden Fund 2024 Now Open!
A few days left to apply for 2024 BGCI's Global Botanic Garden Fund (GBGF) grants. Still open for applications until 14 June.
Main Resources
Global Survey of
Ex situ
Conifer Collections
Conservation Action Plans
The Global Conservation Consortium for Cycads was established to ensure that no wild cycad species becomes extinct.
Join as a Cycads Affiliate
The Global Conservation Consortium for Cycads is a joint effort of BGCI and the IUCN Cycad Specialist Group. The objective of the GCC for Cycads is to enhance durable conservation of global cycad diversity through integrated
ex situ
and
in situ
actions. Led by Montgomery Botanical Center, in collaboration with BGCI and dozens of other partners, the GCC for Cycads was launched to prevent extinctions and ensure healthy cycad populations for the future. A coordinated network of institutions and experts is being mobilised to collaboratively develop and implement a comprehensive conservation strategy for cycads.
Lead Institution:
Montgomery Botanical Center
11901 Old Cutler Road
Coral Gables, FL 33156
United States
www.montgomerybotanical.org
For questions or more information, or if you are interested in learning more about current activities please contact
Vanessa Handley
, Global Conservation Consortium for Cycads Coordinator.
Current Steering Committee Members:
Dr. John Donaldson:
IUCN SSC Cycad Specialist Group.
Dr. Timothy Gregory:
Wild Cycad Conservancy, South Africa.
Dr. Patrick Griffith:
Montgomery Botanical Center, United States.
Dr. Vanessa Handley
: Montgomery Botanical Center, United States.
Dr. Cristina Lopez-Gallego:
Universidad de Antioquia, Colombia.
Learn more about Cycads
Supporters of the Global Conservation Consortium for Cycads
Main Resources
For more resources click here
Cycads: A Model Group for
Ex situ
Plant Conservation
Toward the Metacollection
The Global Conservation Consortium for Dipterocarps brings together the world’s dipterocarp experts, conservationists, and the botanic garden community to ensure that no wild dipterocarp species becomes extinct.
Join as a Dipterocarp Affiliate
Building on previous and existing work, and to further address the conservation needs of dipterocarps, the Global Conservation Consortium for Dipterocarps coordinates collaborative work on all aspects of conservation and will also focus on applied research in areas including phylogenomics, ecology, conservation genetics, tissue culture, and cryopreservation. The consortium also encourages exchange of both material and data which are vital for the advancement of knowledge informing conservation strategies.
Lead Institution:
Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Menglun
Mengla
Yunnan 666303
China
xtbg.cas.cn
For questions or more information about
Xishuangbanna
, or if you are interested in learning more about current activities please contact
Wen-Bin Yu
, the Global Conservation Consortium for Dipterocarps Coordinator.
Current Steering Committee Members:
Dr. Charles Cannon (Chair):
Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore
Dr. Dzaeman B. Dzulkifli David:
Tropical Rainforest Conservation and Research Centre, Malaysia
Dr. Joeri Sergej Strijk:
Alliance for Conservation Tree Genomics, Malaysia
Dr. Hoàng Văn Sâm:
Vietnam National University of Forestry, Vietnam
Dr. Wen-Bin Yu:
Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, CAS, China
Learn more about Dipterocarps
Supporters of the Global Conservation Consortium for Dipterocarps
The Global Conservation Consortium for Ebenaceae works to bring together the world’s ebony experts, conservationists, and the botanic garden community to ensure that no wild ebony species becomes extinct.
Join as a Ebenaceae Affiliate
The Global Conservation Consortium (GCC) for Ebenaceae is led by the Missouri Botanical Garden, in collaboration with Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) and other partners from across the world.
The objective of the GCC is to address the conservation needs of this important group. This network of experts seeks to develop and implement a comprehensive conservation strategy, using both ex situ and in situ approaches, supported by a sound taxonomic framework and detailed scientific investigation, to prevent the extinction of the world’s ebonies.
Lead Institution:
Missouri Botanical Garden
4344 Shaw Blvd
St. Louis
MO 63110, United States
For questions or more information about the
Missouri Botanical Garden
or if you are interested in learning more about current GCC for Ebenaceae activities please contact
Dr. Alexander Linan
, GCC for Ebenaceae Coordinator.
Current Steering Committee Members:
Dr. Porter P. Lowry II
: Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, France
Dr. Carmen Puglisi
: Missouri Botanical Garden, United States
Heidi H. Schmidt
: Missouri Botanical Garden, United States
Dr. Emily J. Warschefsky
: Missouri Botanical Garden, United States
Learn about Ebenaceae
Main Resources
Global Survey of
Ex situ
Ebony Collections
The Global Conservation Consortium for
Erica
brings together the world’s
Erica
experts, conservationists, and the botanic garden community to ensure that no wild species of
Erica
becomes extinct.
Join as an Erica Affiliate
The aim of the Global Conservation Consortium for
Erica
is to deploy their unique sets of skills for effective conservation of the genus in order to prevent species extinctions.
Lead Institution:
Bergen University Gardens
Mildeveien 240
N-5259 HJELLESTAD
Norge
www.uib.no/en/universitygardens
For questions or more information, or if you are interested in learning more about current GCC for
Erica
activities please contact
Mike Pirie
, GCC for
Erica
Coordinator.
Current Steering Committee Members:
Robbie Blackhall-Miles:
FossilPlants, United Kingdom.
Ismail Ebrahim:
South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa.
Dr. Felix Forest:
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, United Kingdom.
Michael Knaack:
HBLFA für Gartenbau und Österreichische Bundesgärten, Austria.
Rupert Koopman:
South Africa.
Dr. Nicolai Nürk:
Bayreuth, Germany.
Dr. Mike Pirie:
Bergen University Gardens, Norway.
Jo Osborne:
Millennium Seed Bank, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, United Kingdom.
Daniel Rohrauer:
HBLFA für Gartenbau und Österreichische Bundesgärten, Austria.
Victoria Wilman:
South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa.
Learn more about Ericas
Main Resources
For more resources click here
Building living plant collections to support conservation: a guide for public gardens
Toward the Metacollection
The Global Conservation Consortium for Food Plants (GCCFP) is mobilising a coordinated network of institutions and experts who work collaboratively to develop and implement new conservation strategies for food plants.
Learn more about Food Plant
Strengthening Global Food Security and Biodiversity Conservation
The Global Conservation Consortium for Food Plants (GCCFP) is a new network that extends the Global Conservation Consortium model of collaborations among botanic gardens to a wider community of botanic, agricultural research, genebank, seed saver, and farmer and community organizations.
The Global Conservation Consortium for Food Plants (GCCFP) is led by the New York Botanical Garden in collaboration with BGCI. Steering committee partners for the GCCFP include the Alliance of Biodiversity International and CIAT, Botanic Gardens Conservation International, CGIAR, the Global Crop Diversity Trust, the Secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and the United States Botanic Garden.
Food plant diversity is essential to food security, human health and nutrition, and culture, and is critical to agricultural sustainability. With the world facing an unprecedented loss of biodiversity accelerated by the climate crisis, the primary goals of the GCCFP are to create a sustainable, coordinated global effort to enhance our food security and protect the planet’s edible biodiversity for future generations.
Consortium Steering Committee Partners
The goals of the Global Conservation Consortium for
Magnolia
is to mobilise a coordinated network of institutions and experts who work collaboratively to develop and implement a comprehensive conservation strategy to prevent the extinction of the world’s
Magnolia
species.
Join as a Magnolia Affiliate
Led by Atlanta Botanical Garden, in collaboration with BGCI and other partners from across the genus’s range. The Global Conservation Consortium for
Magnolia
has been initiated to address the conservation needs of wild
Magnolia
species.
Lead Institution:
Atlanta Botanical Garden
1345 Piedmont Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30309
United States
atlantabg.org
For questions or more information, or if you are interested in learning more about current GCC for
Magnolia
activities please contact
Jean Linsky
, GCC for
Magnolia
Coordinator.
Current Steering Committee Members:
Md. Rishad Abdullah:
Plant Conservation and Research Foundation, Bangladesh.
Dr. Ana Maria Benavides:
Jardín Botánico de Medellín, Colombia.
Apolinario B. Carino:
Siit Arboretum Botanical Garden, Philippines.
Dr. Emily Coffey:
Atlanta Botanical Garden, United States.
Kevin Conrad:
United States National Arboretum, United States.
Dr. Luis Gonzalez Torres:
Planta! Plantlife Conservation Society, Cuba.
Dr. Yong-Shik Kim:
Chollipo Arboretum Foundation, South Korea.
Jean Linsky:
Atlanta Botanical Garden, United States.
Dr. Alvaro J. Perez:
Herbario QCA, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Ecuador.
Dr. Marcela Serna Gonzalez:
Tecnológico de Antioquia – Institución Universitaria, Colombia.
Dr. Weibang Sun:
Kunming Botanical Garden, China.
Dr. J. Antonio Vázquez-García
: Universidad de Guadalajara, Mexico.
Learn more about Magnolias
Supporters of the Global Conservation Consortium for
Magnolia
Main Resources
For more resources click here
Global GCCM Annual Report (2023)
The Red List and
Ex situ
Survey of Magnoliaceae
Global Conservation Gap Analysis of Magnolia
The Global Conservation Consortium for
Nothofagus
words to bring together the world’s
Nothofagus
experts, conservationists, and the botanic garden community to ensure that no wild
Nothofagus
species becomes extinct.
Join as a Nothofagus Affiliate
Led by Wakehurst, in collaboration with BGCI and other partners from across the genus’s range, The Global Conservation Consortium for
Nothofagus
has been initiated to address the conservation needs of
Nothofagus
species.
Lead Institution:
Wakehurst, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Selsfield Rd
Haywards Heath RH17 6TN
United Kingdom
www.kew.org/wakehurst
For questions or more information, or if you are interested in learning more about current GCC for
Nothofagus
activities please contact
Jo Wenham and Olivia Steed-Mundin
at Wakehurst.
Current Steering Committee Members:
Dr. Fabian Carriconde:
Institut Agronomique néo-Calédonien (IAC), New Caledonia.
Dr. Cristian Echeverria:
University of Concepción, Chile.
Olivia Steed-Mundin:
Wakehurst, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, United Kingdom.
Jo Wenham:
Wakehurst, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, United Kingdom.
Learn more about Nothofagus'
Supporters of the Global Conservation Consortium for
Nothofagus
Main Resources
For more resources click here
Conservation Action Plans
Conservation Gap Analysis of
Nothofagus
The Global Conservation Consortium for Oak brings together the world’s oak experts, conservationists, and the botanic garden community to ensure that no wild species of oak becomes extinct.
Join as an Oak Affiliate
No one garden or arboretum can or should conserve all of the world’s threatened oak species, so a coordinated, global effort is needed. Led by the Morton Arboretum, in collaboration with BGCI and dozens of other partners, the Global Conservation Consortium for Oak was launched to prevent extinctions and ensure healthy oak species and populations for the future.
The goal of the Global Conservation Consortium for Oak is to mobilise a coordinated network of institutions and experts who work collaboratively to develop and implement a comprehensive conservation strategy to prevent the extinction of the world’s oak species.
Lead Institution:
The Morton Arboretum
4100 Illinois Route 53
Lisle, IL 60532
United States
mortonarb.org
For questions or more information about
The Morton Arboretum
, or if you are interested in learning more about current GCC for Oak activities please contact
Amy Byrne
, GCC for Oak Coordinator.
Current Steering Committee Members:
Dr. Silvia Alvarez-Clare:
The Morton Arboretum, United States.
Allen J. Coombes:
Jardin Botanico Universitario BUAP, Mexico.
Dr. Maricela Rodriguez:
Mexico.
Dr. Hoàng Văn Sâm:
Vietnam National University of Forestry, Vietnam.
Dr. Murphy Westwood:
The Morton Arboretum, United States.
learn more about Oaks
Supporters of the Global Conservation Consortium for Oak
GCC Oaks News
For more news click here
Press Release
New module available in Spanish: "Programa de capacitación para los guardianes de los encinos’’
We are excited to announce the launch of the new module in Spanish called "Programa de capacitación para los guardianes de los encinos’’!
Press Release
Nuevo módulo en español disponible: "Programa de capacitación para los guardianes de los encinos
¡Anunciamos con entusiasmo el lanzamiento del nuevo módulo en español "Programa de capacitación para los guardianes de los encinos"!
Main Resources
For more resources click here
The Red List and Gap Analysis of Oaks
Manual de Propagación de Quercus: Una guía fácil y rápida para cultivar encinos en México y América Central
Guidelines for Establishing and Managing an Oak Metacollection site –US Region
The Global Conservation Consortium for
Rhododendron
brings together the world’s
Rhododendron
experts, conservationists, and the botanic garden community to ensure that no wild species of
Rhododendron
becomes extinct.
Join as a Rhododendron Affiliate
Rhododendron
is the most diverse genus in the heath and heather family (Ericaceae) comprising over 1100 species. It is found growing wild across the Northern hemisphere and as far south as Northern Australia, and grows in the mountains of Southwest China, the Himalaya, and Southeast Asia where it forms an important part of montane ecosystems.
Lead Institution:
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Arboretum Place
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
EH3 5NZ
For questions or more information, or if you are interested in learning more about current GCC for
Rhododendron
activities please contact
Alan Elliott
, GCC for
Rhododendron
Coordinator.
Current Steering Committee Members:
Dr. Alan Elliott: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
Dipak Lamichhane: Department of Plant Resources, Nepal.
Michael Lovave: Lae Botanical Gardens; Papua New Guinea Forest Research Institute, Papua New Guinea.
Dr. Ashiho Mao: Botanical Survey of India, India.
Dr. Marion Mackay: Massey University, New Zealand.
Connor Ryan: Holden Forest and Garden, United States.
Learn more about Rhododendrons
Supporters of the Global Conservation Consortium for
Rhododendron
Main Resources
For more resources click here
The Red List and
Ex situ
Survey of Rhododendrons
The Global Conservation Consortium for
Whitebeams, Rowans and Service Trees
brings together the world’s experts, conservationists, and the botanic garden community to ensure that no wild species of this varied group becomes extinct.
Join as a Whitebeams Affiliate
Sorbus is a taxonomically complex genus, comprising the whitebeams, rowans, and service trees. It contains approximately 250 species, and these are found primarily across the temperate northern hemisphere, with many species planted beyond their natural ranges.
Lead Institution:
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum
Forestry England
Tetbury
Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
GL8 8QS
For questions or more information, or if you are interested in learning more about current GCC for
Whitebeams, Rowans and Service Trees
activities please contact
Dan Crowley
Current Steering Committee Members:
Dan Crowley, Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, United Kingdom;
Rosie Anderson, Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, United Kingdom;
Alex Summers, National Trust, United Kingdom;
Kevin McGinn, National Botanic Garden of Wales, United Kingdom
Learn more about Whitebeams, Rowans and Service Trees
Supporters of the Global Conservation Consortium for Whitebeams, Rowans and Service Trees
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