A unique opportunity has arisen at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) to head up a global initiative working in over 50 countries as Head of International Conifer Conservation Programme (ICCP). 

Many people believe conifers are quite common, however, many are in fact endangered. Of the world’s 615 conifer species, 211 are listed as being threatened. The role of the ICCP combines taxonomic, conservation, genetic and horticultural research with international capacity building to further conifer conservation. The successful candidate will be responsible for the strategic development of the ICCP. This will involve oversight and management of a network of conifer ‘safe-sites’ in Britain and Ireland housing ex-situ collections of 50 per cent of the world’s threatened conifer species. It will also involve developing priorities and delivering projects undertaking threat assessments and in-situ conservation actions for threatened conifer species.  To maximise the impact and reach of the programme, the successful candidate will work closely with Botanic Garden Conservation International to support global activities.  

The ICCP was established at RBGE in 1991. Over the last 27 years, under the leadership of Martin Gardner, the programme has operated in more than 50 countries, focussing on Chile, China, Lao PDR, New Caledonia, Vietnam and other parts of Southeast Asia. Activities cover all aspects of conservation including basic inventory work in poorly known or remote areas, the establishment of new protected areas, restoration of degraded forests and depleted populations, programmes for sustainable utilisation, ex-situ conservation, propagation and basic taxonomic research. The latter involves describing new species and revising poorly known groups.  

ENDS  

For further information, interviews or images, please respond to this email or contact Caitlin Paterson on 07958 510 634 Shauna Hay on 07824 529 028   

EDITORS NOTES

International Conifer Conservation Programme

The post is: Full-time, permanent, based in Edinburgh/remote  

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) is a leading international research organisation delivering knowledge, education and plant conservation action around the world. In Scotland its four Gardens at Edinburgh, Benmore, Dawyck and Logan attract nearly a million visitors each year. It operates as a Non Departmental Public Body established under the National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985, principally funded by the Scottish Government. It is also a registered charity, managed by a Board of Trustees appointed by Ministers. Its mission is “To explore, conserve and explain the world of plants for a better future.”