About the Organisation

The Vision The vision of the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network is that no indigenous species of plant will become extinct nor be placed at risk of extinction as a result of human action or indifference, and that the rich and unique plant life of New Zealand will be recognised, cherished and restored. The Mission To promote indigenous plant conservation in New Zealand and throughout Australasia. To collaborate to protect and restore New Zealand's indigenous plant life and their natural habitats and associated species. To disseminate information about the taxonomy, biology, ecology, and status of indigenous plant species and communities in New Zealand and to promote activities to protect them throughout their natural range. The Membership Any organisation or individual for which the above mission statement is an important objective is eligible. Membership charges are as shown on the left. It comprises botanists, landowners, botanic gardens, museums, schools, government agencies, horticulturalists and tertiary institutions. Details of membership are held in a directory published annually by the network. Background Collaboration between people is proving to be a powerful tool in the global move to implement plant conservation initiatives. In Canada, Europe and Australia plant networks have already been established to bring together people with a range of skills to work together on plant conservation programmes. In New Zealand there are regional networks in Wellington and Auckland. These initiatives have brought about important changes in the way people help each other to conserve native plant life. This has led naturally to the development of a national network in New Zealand. The Importance of Plant Conservation Plant biodiversity is a key component of nature's life-support systems. Most of New Zealand's indigenous plant species are unique - they are not found growing in the wild anywhere else in the world. The plant communities that they are part of and the animal communities that they support are also endemic to New Zealand. Our responsibility is to protect these natural resources not only because of their many uses (such as medicines, fuel, clothes and building materials) but also because of their ecosystem services (such as soil conservation and oxygen production). The Networks Resources The network is comprised of individuals and agencies with a wide range of expertise and resources that it can utilise to achieve plant conservation in New Zealand. Members of the network include some of the countries leading botanists and ecologists. The Focus for the Network In 1999 the Threatened Plant Committee of the New Zealand Botanical Society listed over 100 indigenous vascular plant species at risk of extinction in the wild. In addition many other non-vascular plant species are believe to be endangered. It is those species and their associated plant and animal communities that are focus for the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. What the Network will do The network will maintain a bibliography of plant conservation literature. It will assist with the development of a list of sites that are of national importance because they support populations of threatened species, are centres of plant diversity or are centres of plant endemism. The network will assist with the maintenance of a list of nationally threatened plant species and lists of species that are regionally uncommon. It will provide a directory of people involved in plant conservation with their contact addresses. The network will disseminate information about plant conservation activities or events and provide electronic communications to its members. In the first two years of its life the network will co-ordinate the preparation of a New Zealand Plant Conservation Strategy to provide a framework for plant conservation activities nation-wide and a focus for its members. The network will co-ordinate the establishment of a secure ex-situ living collection of New Zealand threatened plant species. Why you should Join The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network will provide you with contact details for people working on plant conservation throughout New Zealand and Australasia. Your membership will ensure that you keep up-to-date with information about native plant conservation through its web site. That information includes lists of nationally and regionally threatened species, sites of national importance for plant conservation, plants of offshore and outlying islands. You will be able to locate ex-situ sources of locally provenanced plant material for use in ecological restoration or species recovery work. You will be able to contact expert plant growers throughout New Zealand and learn from them about current best practice for cultivation of threatened plants. Your knowledge and expertise in plant conservation may be useful to other members. How to Join Click here to register as a member of the New Zealand plant Conservation Network.