The memorandum of understanding, announced during the 2000 World Botanic Gardens Congress in Asheville, North Carolina, establishes a broad framework for joint conservation efforts and public education about the biological, medical, economic, and aesthetic contributions native plant species and their habitats make to the Nations quality of life.
Originally founded in 1984, the Center for Plant Conservation is supported by a consortium of 29 botanical gardens and arboreta throughout the United States. With approximately one out of every 10 plant species in the United States facing potential extinction, the CPC is the only national organization dedicated exclusively to preventing extinction of the rare plants of the United States.
"I am very excited about the potential for expanding the partnership that exists between the members of the CPC and the Service," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Jamie Rappaport Clark said. "Together with the Centers member institutions and dedicated professionals, we hope to prevent the loss of native plant habitats from Florida to Hawaii."
"The CPC has long worked with the Service toward imperiled plant species recovery," Center for Plant Conservation Chairman Eliot Paine said. "This agreement will strengthen the ties and shared conservation vision of the two organizations and enhance our science-based programs. Equally important, the potential for development of public education and outreach programs is enormous when approached cooperatively."
Under the agreement, the Service and the CPC agree:
o To seek opportunities to work together to support the conservation needs of all endangered native North American plant species and their habitats where the Service has the authority to do so and when consistent with the mission and purpose of the CPC;
o To help their respective CPC member institutions and Service regional and field offices identify potential for conservation partnerships;
o To encourage participation by the CPC in the development of Service recovery plans for Federally listed plant species; o To support appropriate research and education, and enhance the formal recovery program process for the most critically imperiled plant species listed under the Endangered Species Act; and
o To periodically assess project collaborations between the CPC, the Service, and other partners.
The United States currently is home to 735 threatened or endangered plant species. Native plants are important for their economic, and aesthetic values. Plants play an important role in development of crops that resist disease, insects, and drought. At least 25 percent of prescription drugs contain ingredients derived from plant compounds, including medicines used to treat cancer, heart disease, juvenile leukemia, and malaria, and to assist organ transplant recipients. Plants are also used to develop natural pesticides.
"Through conservation partnerships like this, weve made great strides in conserving threatened and endangered species," Clark said. "Only by working together to increase our effectiveness can we stem the alarming decline and extinction of plant species around the world."
Botanical gardens and arboreta play an important role in educating the public about native plant conservation, Paine said.
"The 40 million people who visit CPC member botanical gardens and arboreta annually represent a huge audience to share our message about the native jewels that occur in our own backyards," he said. "We are thrilled to affirm and expand our association with the Service and look forward to the experiences and understanding this agreement can bring to our members and their visitors."
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System comprised of more than 500 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands, and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish wildlife agencies.
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Note: For a complete copy of the MOU between CPC and the Service, please contact Dave Harrelson at 703-358-2171.
