The ANPC’s best practice handbook for ex situ conservation is currently being revised, to produce the third edition of the publication ‘Plant Germplasm Conservation in Australia – strategies and guidelines for developing, managing and utilising ex situ collections’. Chapter working groups and case study authors, primarily in Australia and New Zealand, have been hard at work revising the existing content. Featuring many new case studies and new chapters, it will be a “must-read” handbook for those planning, undertaking and curating ex situ conservation projects, big and small! Amelia, the Guidelines Project Manager, would like to thank all the contributors and steering committee for their time and input during an especially challenging year.
A review process with commence shortly, and anyone wishing to review the Germplasm Guidelines prior to publication is welcome to contact the Project Manager, see https://www.anpc.asn.au/germplasm-guidelines-review/.
The ANPC has been successful in applying for additional funding to hold an Australian Academy of Science Fenner Conference on the Environment in 2021/2022, during which an expert meeting associated with the Germplasm Guidelines revision will be held. The topic will be ‘Exceptional Times, Exceptional Plants: Ex situ conservation strategies for Australian plants that cannot be conserved by conventional seed banking methods’. Stay tuned for more information!