Conservation

You probably know that plants are essential to the balance and stability of nature that supports life on earth. Plants are the ultimate source of the oxygen we breathe and the food we eat. They provide the raw materials for shelter, clothing, medicines, fuels, and countless other products that human beings depend on.

But did you know that more than one out of every eight species of the world’s flora has been identified as threatened? In the United States, about three out of every ten plant species is threatened. Scientists predict that as more information and knowledge about plant populations around the world is gathered, this number will increase dramatically.

Recognizing the importance of contributing to local, national, and worldwide plant conservation efforts, the U.S. Botanic Garden participates in collaborative partnerships and programs to conserve threatened plants, share information about the threatened flora of the world, and teach others how they can play an active role in plant conservation.