A ceremonial planting of six ‘dinosaur’ trees at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) has officially marked the launch of a significant new partnership for global tree conservation – the Global Conservation Consortium (GCC) for Conifers.

These six Critically Endangered Wollemi pines (Wollemia nobilis) are part of a new conservation programme for the species, coordinated by the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, with 34 botanic gardens around the world being involved in the initial planting phase. 

The plants are part of a high-profile global "metacollection" of Wollemia nobilis designed to safeguard the species from extinction. Thanks to advances in genetic techniques, Australian plant scientists and conservation experts have been able to identify and breed genetically diverse Wollemi pines for the first time and are distributing young stock to safe sites internationally. At the heart of a research institute which also happens to be a leading visitor attraction, the young trees will also help increase public awareness and encourage engagement with species conservation.

Under the umbrella of Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) the new GCC Conifers will develop and implement collaborative, global scale conservation strategies for threatened conifers around the world, inspired by models such as Edinburgh’s International Conifer Conservation Programme (ICCP) and the Wollemi Pine Metacollection.

Dr Hannah Wilson, Head of the ICCP explained: “Currently, 30 percent of all tree species are under threat. Conifers represent a group that is even more affected, with 34 percent of all species recognised as threatened. Faced with these growing concerns, we need to catalyse more collaborative approaches to prevent extinction of this priority plant group.

“Today is all about specialists coming together to create and mobilise a coordinated international plant conservation network. Instigated by the BGCI, working with various focus plant groups, the *Global Conservation Consortia was initially based on the model of the ICCP and so it feels appropriate to launch the GCC for Conifers here, in Edinburgh, with the planting of these young pines”.

Representing botanic gardens around the world in more than 100 countries, BGCI also oversees the work of several other conservation consortia. Its Secretary General, Dr Paul Smith, commented: “Botanic Gardens Conservation International is at the centre of the network of an estimated 3,500 botanic gardens, arboreta and plant conservation organisations around the world. By linking gardens, experts, infrastructure, and resources, we can deliver integrated plant conservation on a global scale.

“These partnerships ensure we are able to continue to undertake active plant conservation, both in-situ in natural habitats, and ex-situ by facilitating plantings at an expanding number of safe sites. Our Global Conservation Consortia continue to catalyse groups of institutions and experts to collaboratively prevent extinction of threatened plant groups worldwide.”

The Global Conservation Consortium for Conifers del-launching today, is led by the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in collaboration with both BGCI and Forestry England Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest. Bedgebury Pinetum hosts the largest conifer collection in the world and has been dedicated to the preservation of threatened conifers for nearly 100 years. Celebrating this newest addition to the Global Conservation Consortia, the Friends of Bedgebury Pinetum have provided the funds for the GCC for Conifers Grant, further promoting conifer conservation initiatives.

Julian Dormady, Bedgebury Pinetum Works Supervisor said: “We are delighted to be part of this globally significant initiative, continuing and expanding our work in collaboration with other botanic institutions on our shared aim of ensuring that these important species are effectively conserved”.

The launch took place during two days of meetings and workshops focussed on conifer conservation practices and strategies.

Simon Milne MBE, Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh concluded: “This important initiative is significantly being launched at the home of the ICCP, which has been evolving over more than 30 years to coordinate global conservation initiatives for this ecologically and economically important group. The well-tested model of the ICCP can be effectively adapted and integrated into conservation initiatives almost anywhere. Fostering the opportunity for endangered species grown in both their natural habitats and in newly designated protected spaces, this model gives them the best chance of survival, while fostering greater public involvement in conserving our most vulnerable habitats”.