NPCC News: May 22 is the International Day for Biological Diversity!

May 22 is the 15th U.N. International Day for Biological Diversity. Its purpose is to increase understanding and awareness of the importance and imperilment of biodiversity. It is part of the UN Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020.

The theme of the 2016 International Day for Biological Diversity is: “Mainstreaming Biodiversity; Sustaining People and their Livelihoods”. The U.N. Announcement states “Biodiversity is the foundation for life and for the essential services provided by ecosystems. It therefore underpins peoples’ livelihoods and sustainable development in all areas of activity, including economic sectors such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries and tourism, among others. By halting biodiversity loss, we are investing in people, their lives and their well-being.”

This day also highlights the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), a program of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The GSPC set 16 quantitative plant conservation Targets as well as deadlines for their attainment.

GSPC Targets cover five categories, including the conservation and understanding of plant diversity, sustainable use and trade of plants, public education about the value of plants and ecosystem services, and increasing capacity for plant conservation.

Despite the fact that the U.S. is the sole U.N. nation that is not a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Native Plant Conservation Campaign and other U.S. organizations work to achieve these Targets in this country. Learn more about the GSPC at the NPCC GSPC Page which offers information and links.

While the NPCC works to further all Targets of the GSPC, we specifically fulfill Target 16: “Networks for plant conservation activities established or strengthened at national, regional and international levels”.

"Networks can enhance communication and provide a mechanism to exchange information, know-how and technology. ...They will also help to avoid duplication of effort and to optimize the efficient allocation of resources. Effective networks provide a means to develop common approaches to plant conservation problems, to share policies and priorities .... They can also help to strengthen links between different sectors relevant to conservation, e.g. the botanical, environmental, agricultural, forest and educational sectors. Networks provide an essential link between on-the-ground conservation action and coordination, monitoring and policy development at all levels. ...."

**Celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity and the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation with a tax deductible contribution to the Native Plant Conservation Campaign!!