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), limited spaces available for Plant Heritage members (£40). Please register by Mon 16th September 2024, final registrations if spaces still available by Fri 18th October 2024.

National Collection Holder registration

Plant Heritage member ticket request

Timetable (draft)

Draft Programme (Timings and speakers/topics tbc)
9.00 am onwards	Arrival at Kew, Jodrell Building – registration and refreshments
10.00 – 10.10	Welcome and introductions Jim Marshall, Vice Chair, Plant Heritage Board of Trustees and Gwen Hines, Plant Heritage Chief Executive
10.10 - 11.20	Keynote Speakers followed by discussion Simon Toomer, Curator of Living Collections, Kew Gardens on 'The Importance of Continuity and Succession for National Plant Collections’ Lucy Hart, Head Gardener, Fulham Palace House and Garden (topic TBC) James Armitage, Editor of the RHS Plant Review on ‘The Value of Cultivated Plants’
11.20- 11.40	Break
11.40 - 12.15	Presentations by National Plant Collection Holders 3-4 short presentations (TBC)
12.15 -  13.30	Lunch – sandwich lunch provided
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.
15.45 -16.00	Break/Afternoon Tea
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
17.00	Finish