Plantlife

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On the Ranscombe Farm Reserve in June 2007.
On the Ranscombe Farm Reserve in June 2007.

Plantlife is a wild plant conservation charity, founded in 1989. As of 2007, its membership was 10,500 and it owned 23 nature reserves around the UK. Its patron is HRH the Prince of Wales, its president is Adrian Darby OBE and its chairman is Roger Crofts. The chief executive is Victoria Chester, who took over from Jane Smart OBE in 2006.

Plantlife's principal activities in Britain include the following:

  • Management of 4,500 acres (18 km²) of rare and important plant habitats as nature reserves
  • Running a rare species conservation programme, "Back from the Brink"
  • Lobbying and campaigning in support of wild plant conservation
  • Organising surveys aimed at generating interest in wild plants by members of the public, including the annual Common Plants Survey

It also has an international programme which includes projects on medicinal plant conservation and sustainable use in the Himalayas and East Africa.

Contents

[edit] Plantlife Nature Reserves

Plantlife own the following nature reserves:

[edit] The Back from the Brink programme

Plantlife's "Back from the Brink" programme was initiated in 1991. Its intention was to focus conservation efforts on some of the rarest plant species in Britain. It initially concentrated on vascular plants but was extended to cover lower plants and fungi. As of 2006, 101 species are covered by the programme. The programme included survey work to establish information about populations of these species, monitoring of populations to identify change over time and the factors relating to this, research into ecological requirements of the species, and site management work aimed at maintaining or restoring habitat conditions suitable for these species. Since 2008 the programme has gradually expanded to include a much larger list of species, this is in response to the publication of both the UK Red List and UK Biodiversity Action Plan. In order to effectively deliver conservation of an ever expanding list of rare species the work will be directed at habitats, where it is hoped that suites of species will respond.

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[edit] The Plantlife County Flowers competition

In 2002 Plantlife ran a competition to select county flowers for all counties of the UK. The list was declared in 2004. A campaign led by the Eastern Daily Press changed the selection for Norfolk. A list of the flowers chosen can be found at List of county flowers of the United Kingdom.

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[edit] Important Plant Areas

Plantlife has developed the concept of Important Plant Areas, first in Britain, and is currently working on extending this concept worldwide.

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[edit] Plantlife and Fungi

Although much of Plantlife's work is centred on plants, it is also involved in the conservation of fungi. Its work in this areas include surveying Waxcap grasslands and compiling a list of Britain's Important Fungus Areas.

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[edit] External links

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Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (January 2007)