GSPC Target 14

Introduction

Plants are often under-represented in the conservation debate and neglected in efforts to engage the public in environmental action. Furthermore, increasing urbanization and population movements are resulting in a growing disconnect between people and nature, a trend that is especially notable amongst the young.

Plant conservation targets will only be achieved if changes are made at all levels of society, from policy makers through to the general public.

For this reason, communication, education and public awareness programmes are essential in underpinning the GSPC.

This target is understood to refer to both formal and informal education at all levels, including primary, secondary and tertiary levels.

Download an introduction to Target 14 here.

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It is generally recognized that there is low level of recognition amongst the general public of 'biodiversity' and more specifically, the important role of plants in supporting human well-being. 

The Union for Ethical Biotrade (UEBT) has been tracking people’s awareness of biodiversity and interest in ethical sourcing since 2009.  Over the years, the UEBT Biodiversity Barometers have shows a close connection between people and biodiversity: high biodiversity in a country goes hand in hand with high biodiversity awareness and ability to describe it. Furthermore, high awareness of biodiversity translates in high expectations towards companies that use biodiversity.  In the 2016 survey, 95% of respondents in Latin America (Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela) said they expected companies to respect biodiversity, and 93% say they would be more interested in buying from a company that pays attention to biodiversity. In the 2017 survey , UEBT showed that active contribution to biodiversity conservation (protection of local plants, such as wild flowers, or animals like bees) convinces people most that a brand respects people and biodiversity.

Implementation of this target relates to Target 1 of the Aichi targets of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020:

 T1: By 2020, at the latest, people are aware of the values of biodiversity and the steps they can take to conserve and use it sustainably.

Implementation

The world’s botanic gardens, which together receive an estimated 250 million visitors per year are a gateway to information on plant diversity. This community has largely taken forward the education and public awareness elements of this target.

Almost all botanic gardens are involved in education and many focus specifically on educating children. 

BGCI’s education programme provides a wide range of tools and resources to support the education work of botanic gardens.

This target relates to the CBD programme on Communication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA).

Citizen science

Engaging the public in new and innovative ways is key to raising awareness of plant conservation issues. One example is the increasing popularity of citizen-science projects focused around plant monitoring in changing climates. examples of such programme include Project BudBurst in the USA, the Phenology Recording System of the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network and Nature's Calendar in the UK.

CITES

The CITES Virtual College provides courses,reference materials and training slides that, although not specific to flora, can provide a strong platform to train Parties on how CITES works. Various CITES Parties have produced capacity building tools to help Parties implement CITES for several key species.

Tools and resources

Please also check in the database of Tools of Resources for Case Studies relevant to this target.

Status

Raising public awareness of the importance of plants and the role they play is vital if we are to meet plant conservation targets.  It is recognized that engaging the public in new and innovative ways is key to raising awareness of plant conservation issues. Some relevant initiatives include:
-    Global Barometer on Biological Diversity
-    Citizen Science Programs -Natures Calendar &Track a Tree (UK) Project Budburst (USA)
-    Botanic Gardens -
-    Social Media- Twitter, Documentaries,
Due to a lack of baseline information, progress towards this target is difficult to measure on a global scale.
The implementation of this target makes an important contribution to Aichi Target 1 (Awareness increased) and in the framework of the GSPC is considered cross-cutting and applicable to all other targets.

The Global Barometer on Biological Diversity provides an important global overview of how biodiversity is perceived and understood. The tool works on the basis of annually survey conducted in participating countries. In the period of 2009-2014, 38,000 people in 13 countries were surveyed on biodiversity awareness. It revealed that biodiversity awareness has grown by 12 % (55-67%) although only a small percentage of countries have participated.  The hope is more developing countries will join and awareness can be increased further http://www.bipindicators.net/biodiversitybarometer.

Citizen Sciences

In 2000 the Woodland Trust and The Centre for Hydrology and Ecology launched Natures Calendar in the format of a website, allowing the general public to voluntarily submit the first sightings of the season in their area. They are now 50,000 people across the UK involved with the Nature's Calendar survey. Records such as the first snowdrop, budburst in trees, butterfly and garden bird sighting, are among the most common. The websites provides a starter pack with detailed information on the different species you can record information on.

Vigie-Nature (http://vigienature.mnhn.fr/resultats) is the French equivalent of Natures Calendar, aimed at recording information on butterflies, birds, bats dragonflies and wild plants. More than 10,000 participants have taken part from all over France creating important long-term dataset which can be used for scientific research.

Project Budburst (USA)  (http://budburst.org/aboutus) started by the Chicago Botanic is a citizen science project in which individuals monitor the change to timing in seasonal events such as budburst, flowering, leaf fall and leaf colour. Collecting such information is vital in understand how different plant groups and species are responding under the climate change drivers.  

Fascination of Plants Day - (May 18) continues to grow in popularity with over 830 events held in 52 countries around the world in 2017. Events were attended by a diverse range of people from all backgrounds and ages, and held at a variety of organizations including museums, universities, research institutes, schools and botanic gardens.  The goal of the Fascination of Plants Day is to get as many people as possible around the world fascinated by plants and enthused about the importance of plant science for agriculture, in sustainability producing food, as well as for horticulture, forestry, and all of the non-food products such as paper, timber, chemicals, energy, and pharmaceuticals. The role of plants in environmental conservation is also a key message.

Botanic gardens - It is estimated that some 500 milion people visit botanic gardens around the world annually. In recent years there has been a spectacular growth of new botanic gardens that have a strong focus on public education.  A striking example is provided by the Gardens by the Bay in Singapore which won the building for the year award in 2012 and attracts over 2.5 million visitors every year, representing an impressive commitment by the government of Singapore towards raising awareness about plants.

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