Conservation Projects

As head of The Plant Conservation Unit, Gary Krupnick advises organizations on IUCN plant listings and represents the Smithsonian on committees for plant conservation and pollination. Gary studies plant conservation biology, plant reproduction, the use of herbarium specimens to determine rarity and endangerment of plant species, and plant-pollinator interactions. He has conducted conservation assessments of the flora of Hawaii, the flora of the West Indies, and species of Heliconia. Along with the American Society of Botanical Artists, he co-curated the traveling exhibition, “Losing Paradise? Endangered Plants Here and Around the World,” a convergence of art, science, conservation, and education.

Affiliations:

IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group (GTSG) is a global network of experts who, working in their own regions and institutions, all contribute to the conservation of globally threatened trees. The mission of the GTSG is to conserve tree species globally by sharing knowledge and catalyze action to halt declines, restore populations, and prevent extinctions. The GTSG is part of IUCN’s Species Survival Commission (SSC), a science-based network of thousands of volunteer experts from around the world, working together to achieve the vision of “a just world that values and conserves nature through positive action to both prevent the loss and aid recovery of the diversity of life on earth.” Gary Krupnick is a member of the GTSG.

North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC) is collaborative body of more than 170 diverse partners, including respected scientists, researchers, conservationists, government officials and dedicated volunteers, working to implement, promote and support a clear, continent-wide coordinated action plan to coordinate projects in the areas of pollinator research, education and awareness, conservation and restoration, policies and practices, and special partnership initiatives; to facilitate communication among stakeholders, build strategic coalitions, and leverage existing resources; and to demonstrate a positive measurable impact on the populations and health of pollinating animals. Since its founding, the NAPPC has been instrumental in focusing attention on the plight of pollinators and the need to protect them throughout the tri-national region comprised of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Gary Krupnick serves at the U.S. Vice Chair of the NAPPC Steering Committee, and through the Botany Department, has hosted annual meetings of NAPPC at the Smithsonian Institution in 2004, 2005, 2011, 2020, 2021, and 2022.

The Plant Conservation Alliance (PCA) is a collaborative partnership among 17 U.S. Federal Agency Members (the Federal Committee) and more than 400 Non-Federal Cooperators (the Non-Federal Cooperators Committee). As a member of the Federal Committee, the Plant Conservation Unit works collaboratively with PCA Members and Cooperators to solve the problems of native plant conservation and native habitat restoration, ensuring the sustainability of ecosystems in the United States. The depth and strength of PCA is in the scientific expertise, networking, and the ability to pool resources to protect, conserve, and restore our national plant heritage for generations to come.