National Collection Holders' Conference 2024
Ensuring the Continuity of National Collections, in an Era of Environmental Change
The biennial Collection Holder's conference will be on Wed 6th November at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, home of 6 National Plant Collections, with key note speakers, feature talks from Collection Holders, followed by tours.
Purpose: This conference supports the vital plant conservation work done by Plant Heritage National Collection Holders by providing a forum for them to learn from each other and external experts. Together the National Collections are safeguarding around 95,000 plants for the future, from tiny cacti to trees.
Thematic Focus: The conference will discuss ways to ensure the continuity of National Collections, especially in the face of environmental challenges like erratic weather and new pests and diseases, alongside other challenges and opportunities. The focus will be on practical steps that we can take.
Participants: Free for National Collection Holders, proposed collections and those who help curate National Collections. Limited spaces for horticultural students (free).
The conference is now fully booked, but you may register to go on a waiting list and we will contact you if spaces become available.
Timetable (draft)
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Draft Programme (Timings and speakers/topics tbc)
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9.00 am onwards |
Arrival at Kew, Jodrell Building – registration and refreshments |
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10.00 – 10.10 |
Welcome and introductions Jim Marshall, Vice Chair, Plant Heritage Board of Trustees and Gwen Hines, Plant Heritage Chief Executive
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10.10 - 11.20 |
Keynote Speakers followed by discussion Simon Toomer, Curator of Living Collections, Kew Gardens - 'The importance of continuity and succession for National Plant Collections’ Lucy Hart, Head Gardener, Fulham Palace House and Garden - 'Getting a historic National Plant Collection right: telling the full story' James Armitage, Editor of the RHS Plant Review - ‘The value of cultivated plants’ |
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11.20- 11.40 |
Break |
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11.40 - 12.15 |
Catrina Fenton - Garden Organic: 'Calendula: a diverse and exciting venture for seed conservation' Chris Bird – Sparsholt College: ‘DNA the apple way’ Bethan Collerton – Birmingham Botanical Gardens: Title TBC |
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12.15 - 13.30 |
Lunch – sandwich lunch provided |
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13.30 – 15.45 |
Tours of Kew Gardens Departments (Herbarium, Library, Labs, Propagation - all tbc). Assemble from 13.30. Tours to start 13.45. Meet at first tour point, not Jodrell Building. |
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15.45 -16.00
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Break/Afternoon Tea |
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16.00 -17.00 |
Discussion: What Next for National Plant Collections? Q&A with audience and keynote speakers, moderated by Emma Crawforth, gardening editor at Gardeners World Magazine and Plant Heritage conservation committee vice chair
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17.00 |
Finish |
Palm House at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Simon Toomer, Curator of Living Collections, Kew Gardens
James Armitage, Editor of the RHS Plant Review
Lucy Hart, Fulham Palace House & Garden
© Marcus Dawes
Broad Walk Borders at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew