Those present on the day agreed some fundamental goals to work towards between now and 2020, including:


– ensuring that plant diversity is urgently and effectively conserved;


– increasing education and awareness of plant diversity; – promoting the role of plants in sustainable livelihoods; and


– recognising the central role plants have in ensuring sustainable ecosystems.


Plantlife were particularly keen to impress upon their audience in Scotland’s capital that plants and fungi must be used in a sustainable fashion. They called for increased recognition that plants and fungi have a central value to our ecosystems and economy. There are, however, some encouraging signs across the country on which to build and some of the GSCP targets look within reach even at this stage. Dr. Long is able to illustrate a number of successful case studies showing that there is room for cautious optimism. “Take the case of Scotia Seeds,” said Dr. Long, “Improvement of seed quality is recognised as a key element in improving the long-term health and outlook for our plants. An essential part of the work of this particular small business is ensuring that sowing wildflower seeds is sustainable and successful. They carry out research and development work funded by the Scottish Government and this partnership is enabling the company to make a significant contribution to the improvement of seed quality in the UK.”


3


“Plantlife,” she went on to explain, “has campaigned for over 20 years now to protect and conserve wild plants. We call for plant-friendly management practices to be adopted across the board, and not just on designated sites. By providing practical advice on managing habitats, so that the needs of wild plants and fungi are met, Plantlife is striving to help land managers to meet their own business needs as well as those of plants.”


And around the country there are other shining examples of positive action.


Surprisingly for some perhaps there is clearly a role for art to play in plant conservation. This has been superbly illustrated by the work of Siobhan Healy, a Glasgow glass artist. In 2011, Siobhan created an artwork inspired by the rare wild flower – the Ghost Orchid (Epipogium aphyllum), the symbol of Plantlife’s Ghost Orchid Declaration. The work has toured Glasgow Botanic Gardens, The Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh, and has even been as far afield as the USA in Harvard’s Natural History Museum, thereby helping create an international platform for discussion on plant conservation.


Living Classrooms on the other hand uses education and learning to invest in the future. Their work focuses on the importance of connecting children with nature from a very young age. In particular they highlight that a child can become actively involved in conserving and learning about plants in the local environment on a daily basis … if they are supported in an appropriate way and given regular access to nature.


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The Nature of Scotland


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