In a recent assessment by Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), the collection of maples curated by the UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research was ranked number two in conservation importance worldwide in public gardens, second only to Harvard’s Arnold Arboretum.
Although maples are a common sight in Canada, many species in China and Japan are under threat. Due to the Garden’s strong relationships with its Asian counterparts and their scientists, it has been able to procure a number of these valuable species through partnered expeditions for wild-collected seed. Vancouver’s mild maritime climate and the horticultural expertise of the Garden researchers and staff have proven an exceptional combination in growing these maples for conservation and research.
To view the BGCI News Item: http://www.bgci.org/resources/news/0721/
To view the Global Survey of Ex Situ Maple Collections:
http://www.bgci.org/files/Worldwide/News/JulyAug2010/ex_situ_maples.pdf
