WHAT’S NEW The Germplasm Guidelines will be available for download from the ANPC website in mid-2021 and will be accompanied by hands-on workshops and online training materials. Be sure to subscribe to the ANPC’s free e-newsletter (https://www.anpc.asn.au/anpc-news/) to stay up-to-date with the launch of the Germplasm Guidelines and associated professional development opportunities. Reference: Commander L.E., Coates D.J., Broadhurst L., Offord C.A., Makinson R.O., Matthes M. (eds) (2018) Guidelines for the Translocation of Threatened Plants in Australia, 3rd edn, Australian Network for Plant Conservation, Canberra. Available for free download at: https://www.anpc.asn.au/translocation/
Climate risk assessment tool project (Climate Change Alliance of Botanic Gardens) Peter Symes, Curator Horticulture, Melbourne Gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Dear Colleague, The ‘climatic world’ in which many of our botanic gardens and landscapes were created is already gone and profound challenges confront us into the future. It has been estimated that ‘in the next 50 years, 20–50% of plants in botanic and urban landscapes will face temperatures never experienced before’ (Dr Dave Kendal, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Management, University of Tasmania). To respond to these risks, the Climate Change Alliance of Botanic Gardens (Alliance), is working with Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria and the University of Tasmania to develop a Climate Risk Assessment Tool for listings in BGCI’s PlantSearch database, and initially focusing on the approximately 20,000 tree species grown in the world’s botanic gardens. This tool is expected to provide support for botanic gardens to evaluate and manage the climate change threats faced by their living collections. Australia is one region of the world considered to have database gaps on information for trees in botanic gardens collections. We will need your input and involvement through the provision of your expertise and data. In the meantime, please consider joining the alliance. Membership is free and there are no demanding requirements — just a commitment to climate change actions (large or small) for safeguarding the legacy of our plant collections, landscapes, and biodiversity for future generations.
THE BOTANIC GARDENer | ISS 55 SUMMER 2020/21
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