Morton Arboretum

The Morton Arboretum - along with partners Atlanta Botanical Garden and Montgomery Botanical Center - will implement a project to improve the conservation quality of living collections of "exceptional species" (plants that cannot be seed banked). Three taxonomically focused conservation consortia - for oaks, magnolias, and cycads - will be established, involving dozens of organizations. The project team will gather and analyze collection data to evaluate conservation quality and conduct genetic analyses. They also will develop species management plans for priority species in each consortium. The shared collections data will position consortium members for future sustainable collections management.