Rare Care

	The Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation Program is dedicated to conserving Washington's native rare plants through methods including ex situ conservation, rare plant monitoring, research, reintroduction, and education.

WHAT'S NEW?

Read about Rare Care's great finds this year, banking rare alpine seeds from national parks,
and following in Elroy Burnett's footsteps, in the Fall/Winter issue of Rare Plant Press.

Apply now for the next rare plant monitoring training in Seattle (scheduled for Feb. 27, 2010).

Rare Care completed 19 rare seed collections this year. See the Miller Seed Vault species list.

What do we care about?

Native plant species in Washington are being threatened by rapidly-growing human population and development. Currently, 320 plant species are either sensitive, threatened, or endangered in the state. While it is always preferable to conserve and protect species by preserving their native habitat (otherwise known as in situ or on-site conservation), there is an increasing realization that ex situ, or off-site, conservation is also needed. In off-site conservation efforts, seeds are collected from wild plant populations and maintained in seed banks or botanical gardens for research purposes and long-term conservation of the species.

What are we doing about it?

The Washington Rare Plant Care & Conservation Program (Rare Care) at the University of Washington's Center for Urban Horticulture has established the first plant conservation program focused exclusively on vascular plants designated as rare in Washington State. Incorporating both in situ and ex situ methods of conservation, we are collecting plant material from wild populations and growing them in the greenhouse for eventual reintroduction into native sites. We also monitor rare plant populations located throughout Washington. Goals of the program include the following:

Silene seelyi is found on basalt cliffs
of the Wenatchee Mountains.

Collection, storage, and propagation of seeds of rare plants.
Reintroduction of rare and endangered plants to native habitat.
Monitoring of rare plant populations throughout Washington.
Conservation research of rare species native to Washington.
Training of students and volunteers to be involved in all aspects of the program.
Membership in a national network of institutions working to preserve biological diversity (the Center for Plant Conservation).
Creating educational materials and programs, such as Celebrating Wildflowers, for all ages

What impact are we having?

The Washington Rare Plant Care & Conservation Program received the 2003 Conservation Project of the Year Award for its leadership in conservation work in Washington State. The US Forest Service and US Bureau of Land Management jointly recognized Rare Care for "providing urgent rare plant conservation through methods including rare plant monitoring, ex situ conservation, reintroduction, and education."

"Rare Care has demonstrated a unique approach to harness the energy and interest of volunteers to help in native plant conservation. The volunteer program is the backbone of their conservation efforts."
— Nominating Team

Bureau of Land Management Director Kathleen Clarke and Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth present the national Conservation Project of the Year Award to Rare Care Program Manager Carolyn Alfano on March 17, 2004, in Spokane, Washington.

Picture of Clarke, Bosworth and Alfano

Member Institution:
Center for Plant Conservation

The Rare Plant Care and Conservation Program is made possible by gifts from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, The Miller Charitable Trust, The Bullitt Foundation, The Hugh and Jane Ferguson Foundation, The Mountaineers Foundation, The Northwest Horticultural Society, The Seattle Garden Club, The Norton Family Foundation, private organizations, and individuals from all over the Pacific Northwest.