ABQ BioPark Partners with the Center for Plant Conservation to Save Endangered Species

The ABQ BioPark is proud to announce its acceptance as a Participating Institution with the Center for Plant Conservation (CPC), marking a significant milestone in its ongoing commitment to save endangered plant species regionally and nationally. 

The CPC is a prestigious network comprising 75 institutions dedicated to conserving North America’s rarest plants. Together, these organizations provide care for more than half of the 4,400 endangered North American plant species and adhere to strict standards to maintain genetic diversity. The network is at the forefront of horticulture research, establishing best practices and fostering collaboration among its experts to research how to best cultivate these plants.

New Mexico is the fourth most botanically diverse state in the United States, and the BioPark is committed to expanding plant conservation efforts here. Acceptance as a Participating Institution recognizes the BioPark’s significant contributions to preserving plant diversity in New Mexico and around the world. The BioPark serves as a refuge for salvaged rare plants impacted by construction projects and is continually expanding its plant collections and research capabilities. The BioPark’s seed bank is a vital regional resource, housing 12 rare plant species indigenous to New Mexico, and the institution participates in ongoing collaborations with a variety of partners to engage in plant conservation across the state. In addition, through partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the BioPark has contributed to conservation assessments for more than a thousand plant species.

"Our new partnership with CPC will help propel us forward in our goal to protect and understand the rich botanical diversity of New Mexico," said BioPark Associate Director Matthew Peterson. "Our team is eager to collaborate with other CPC institutions and contribute to broader national plant conservation and restoration goals."

Staff at the BioPark are excited to engage with more partners to ensure the continued survival of the approximately 200 rare and endangered plants in New Mexico and serve as a beacon for conservation education within the community.

Visit https://www.cabq.gov/artsculture/biopark/conservation for more information about ABQ BioPark's conservation initiatives.