Partnerships For Plants: Proceedings of CBCN's 1996 Workshop

Latest update: 7 December, 1998

APPENDIX I. WORKSHOP AGENDA

The following outlines and focus questions were presented by workshop leaders, or, where noted, have been prepared by David Galbraith.  Following on the outlines are results prepared during the workshop sessions.

Workshop Session 1: Introduction to the National Network

An overview of the development of the Canadian Botanical Conservation Network, with historical and international perspectives on the operation of similar networks world-wide.

Session Objective: Statement by workshop participants on the need for a national network for botanical gardens and arboreta in Canada, perhaps in form of a draft statement of objectives

Workshop Session 2: Organizing the Network

A review of possible organizational modes and structures for a national botanical conservation not-for-profit or charitable organization.

Session Objective: Setting of mileposts for network and how it will function as a membership organization

Workshop Session 3: Funding the Network

A budget of at least $100,000 per year will be needed to support the network office and core activities. This session is a think-tank on how funding will be generated.

Session Objective: Recommendations for generating financial support options for the network

Workshop Session 4: First Meeting of CBCN

Development of the network as an organization will be enhanced by actually holding a first meeting, at which the results of the day's workshop can be put into context of the organization and its goals.

Session Objective: Adoption of plan for organizational first steps

Workshop Session 5: Endangered plants and the scope for national recovery plans

A review of the various ways in which Canadian native plants are listed as endangered, what it means to generate recovery plans, and how network members will participate in those plans.

Session Objective: Priority list for species-level conservation programs that network members should cooperate to achieve

Workshop Session 6: Endangered habitats and the scope for restoration programs

A review of the various ways in which habitats are listed as endangered, how habitat restoration is prioritized, and how network members can take part in restoration projects.

Session Objective: Priority list for habitat or ecosystem-level conservation programs that network members should cooperate to achieve

Workshop Session 7a: Ex situ conservation, data banks, and the future of gene banks for native species in Canada

Gene banks and other forms of ex-site conservation are labour, cost and data-intensive. This workshop will focus on how cooperation in these areas can lead to increased effectiveness and efficiency in conservation programs.

Session Objective: Recommendations on the potential for botanical gardens and arboreta to protect and supply genetically appropriate plant stock for recovery and rehabilitation efforts

Workshop Session 7b: Education and botanical conservation in Canada

Education is a strong priority among public gardens and arboreta. Conservation is also of great public interest. Cooperation and joint development of educational materials is one way to maximize the message and minimize the costs.

Session Objective: Recommendations on how network partners achieve greater public contact and coverage of conservation programs

Workshop Session 8: Can we find a "Big Picture" for plant conservation in Canada?

Landscape ecology, conservation biology and biodiversity studies are all rapidly changing the ground rules for conservation. What was once the province of wildlife managers and foresters is now front line biology and public relations. This workshop will examine trends in conservation to seek common for cooperative activity.

Session Objective: Ideas and recommendations on how plant conservation can achieve a greater profile in Canada

Workshop Session 9: Principles of Partnership

What makes for good partnerships, and how can you ensure that partners get what they need from any relationship? As government withdraws from funding many public activities, partnerships will become increasingly important.

Session Objective: Increase participant's abilities to recognize and achieve partnerships with private industry, government agencies and NGOs

Workshop Session 10a: The Scope of the Rio Convention

The U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity ("The Rio Convention") is a far-reaching agreement that affects many aspects of both conservation and our use of the living world around us. This workshop will examine the effect of the Rio Convention on organizations maintaining collections of living plants.

Session Objective: Recommended means of participation by network members in national and provincial biodiversity conservation programs

Workshop Session 10b: Native Peoples and Native Plants in Canada

The role of native plants and the use of those plants by native peoples is gaining increased attention. Public gardens and arboreta presenting native plants to the public cannot ignore the relationship between the people and the plants.

Session Objective: Recommendations on how network members can better present the cultural and biological heritage of the native peoples of Canada in the context of their use and understanding of native plants

Workshop Session 11a: Botanical Institutions as Research Partners: Phenology and other opportunities

Unlocking the research potential of botanical gardens is a major intent of CBCN, by providing avenues for cooperation and sharing information that may now not be possible. One exciting field where data sharing is already yielding results is in phenology and the study of climate change.

Session Objective: Priority lists or recommendations on how network members will cooperate to achieve their research potentials

Workshop Session 11b: Developing partnerships with commercial enterprise

Industrial enterprises can use the help of botanical gardens and arboreta in habitat restoration and other "green" enterprises. The importance of biologically appropriate plant stock for rehabilitation efforts is also increasing. This session will focus on cultivating partnerships that are win-win-win: for industry, gardens and conservation.

Session Objective: Recommendations on how network members can cooperate with industry and commercial partners for habitat rehabilitation and other conservation programs

Workshop Session 12: Envisioning the Future for Botanical Gardens and Arboreta in Canada

Common challenges do not necessarily mean common responses, if individuals are themselves diverse. What future trends can be envisioned for the environments of the diverse botanical gardens of Canada, and how can a national network like CBCN help them face the future?

Session Objective: Recommendations on how botanical gardens and other network members can achieve growth and stability during tough budget times
 

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Go to Workshop Summary
Go to List of Workshop Participants
Go to Closing Recommendations by Workshop Participants