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Regional meetings for the GCCM (page
COLUMBIAN ENDEMIC – The almanegra de Guatapé (Magnolia guatapensis) is unique to Columbia and listed as “Endangered” (EN) by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Photo: SalvaMontes, salvamontes.org
A WORLD OF MAGNOLIA
By Jean Linsky - GCC Magnolia Coordinator / Emily Coffey, PhD - GCC Magnolia Lead
The Global Conservation Consortium for Magnolia (GCCM) coordinates a network of institutions who work collaboratively to develop and implement comprehensive conservation strategies to prevent the extinction of magnolias worldwide. With over 50% of Magnolia species globally assessed as threatened, this group of plants requires the combined knowledge and collaboration of the world’s botanical gardens and conservation institutions for effective and efficient conservation. Atlanta Botanical Garden is the Lead Institution for the GCCM and the Garden’s Southeastern Center for Conservation is responsible for the Consortium’s coordination, communication and reporting at the global scale.
In 2021, the GCCM hosted virtual regional meetings for United States & Canada (February 9th and November 8th), Mexico & Central America (April 15th) and South America (August 24th), with over 110 participants from botanic gardens and research institutions. The meetings were hosted in collaboration with Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) and included numerous presentations and discussions. Participating institutions were introduced to the GCCM and invited to join. At the regional meetings, BGCI staff introduced the broader Global Conservation Consortia program, while our Center staff highlighted our current activities as the Lead Institution focusing on magnolias. Steering committee members and other participants shared on-going conservation initiatives for magnolias in each region. At discussion sessions, participants networked and helped to begin prioritizing species for conservation action for the greater GCCM community. We are currently continuing this work, gathering further information about conservation activities and needs for magnolias to prioritize species of concern for the GCCM in each of these regions.
www.globalconservationconsortia.org/gcc/magnolia
