XVI International Botanical Congess

At a world scale, Hawaii is characterized by plant species richness and extreme environmental degradation in microcosm. Protecting and restoring native plants and their habitats there necessitates the integrated use of methods and tools of research, conservation, education, and restoration. With around 1100 native plants, about 90% of which are endemic B and with roughly 60% of this native flora eliciting some level of conservation concern, Hawaii possesses one of Earth=s most unique and imperiled floras. 180 plant taxa have fewer than 100 individuals remaining in nature, 12 taxa are down to one remaining wild plant, around 100 plant taxa are extinct. To conserve and recover the Hawaiian floristic diversity that remains, we will need the best scientific information, well-conceived educational messages and approaches, diverse training opportunities, prioritized research, and cooperation among on-site, off-site, and recovery practitioners. Promoting and facilitating these approaches, and their integration through collaborations, constitute the principal orientations of the Center for Plant Conservation Hawaii program.