Plant Conservation Messages

Advertisers tell us that effective messages have the following characteristics:

•   Meaningful: the customer should find the message relevant
•   Distinctive: the message should capture the customer’s attention
•   Believable

Can we learn from this to develop messages for plant conservation?

Below are the 16 targets of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation. We have identified key words for each target. These could be used (although not necessarily included) to develop messages to promote the relevant target. We’ve included a message with several targets to give you an idea of the kind of messages we’re looking for. Over to you!

Target 1: An online Flora of all known plants

Keywords: plant list, knowledge, plant species, plant conservation.

CONSERVATION MESSAGE:

Inside every forest are thousands of plants waiting for you to discover them!

Target 2: An assessment of the conservation status of all known plant species, as far as possible, to guide conservation action

Keywords: wild plant species, threat, extinction, habitat destruction, invasive alien species, climate change.

CONSERVATION MESSAGE:

Care for the Rare

Target 3: Information, research and associated outputs, and methods necessary to implement the Strategy developed and shared.

· Keywords: research, conservation methods, information sharing.

CONSERVATION MESSAGE:

To be added...

Target 4: At least 15 per cent of each ecological region or vegetation type secured through effective management and/or restoration

· Keywords: landscapes, eco-regions, management, restoration

CONSERVATION MESSAGES:

What is a bee without a flower? A bird without a tree? An elephant without grass? An animal without a habitat. You can’t have one without the other

Trees absorb carbon from the air. Take the heat off our planet: save its forest

Target 5: At least 75 per cent of the most important areas for plant diversity of each ecological region protected, with effective management in place for conserving plants and their genetic diversity.

Keywords: management, Important Plant Areas, genetic diversity, endemic species, ecological regions, native species.

CONSERVATION MESSAGE:

Ancient forests are our heritage. Will they be our grandchildren’s too?

Every breath you take depends on plants. We cannot live without Oxygen

You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep spring from coming. Pablo Neruda

Target 6: At least 75 per cent of production lands in each sector managed sustainably, consistent with the management of plant diversity

· Keywords: sustainability, organic farming, conservation agriculture

CONSERVATION MESSAGE:

Plants are good for our economy. Let’s make sure our economy is good for plants. Buying from sustainable sources is the natural choice

Target 7: At least 75 per cent of known threatened plant species conserved in situ

Keywords: in situ conservation, conservation methods, threatened plants

CONSERVATION MESSAGE:

To be added…

Target 8: At least 75 per cent of threatened plant species in ex situ collections, preferably in the country of origin, and at least 20 per cent available for recovery and restoration programmes

Keywords: ex situ/in situ conservation, seed banks

CONSERVATION MESSAGE:

Care for the Rare

Target 9: 70 per cent of the genetic diversity of crops including their wild relatives and other socio-economically valuable plant species conserved, while respecting, preserving and maintain associated indigenous and local knowledge

Keywords: indigenous knowledge, ethno botany, crops

CONSERVATION MESSAGE:

How many plants do you use every day? We use thousands of plants in our daily lives – food, clothes, paper, medicine, shelter, fuel, cosmetics, even the oxygen we breathe

Wheat. Something to eat or the basis of life on earth? Which way do you see it?

Target 10: Effective management plans in place to prevent new biological invasions and to manage important areas for plant diversity that are invaded

Keywords: management, ecosystems, invasive species, threats, globalization, climate change, prevention

CONSERVATION MESSAGE:

To be added…

Target 11: No species of wild flora endangered by international trade

Keywords: unsustainable harvesting, international trade, endangered species, wild plants.

CONSERVATION MESSAGE:

Don’t cut down the Tree of Life

Target 12: All wild-harvested plant-based products sourced sustainably

Keywords: wild plants, over-harvesting, risk, products

CONSERVATION MESSAGE:

Plants colour people’s lives. Colour yours today with petal, fragrances and spices!

Target 13: Indigenous and local knowledge, innovations and practices associated with plant resources, maintained or increased, as appropriate, to support customary use, sustainable livelihoods, local food security and health care

Keywords: traditional knowledge, sustainable development, culture, innovation, indigenous, food security

CONSERVATION MESSAGE:

Bread feeds the body but flowers also feed the soul. The Koran

Target 14: The importance of plant diversity and the need for its conservation incorporated into communication, education and public awareness programmes

Keywords: awareness, communication, plant blindness, human well-being, disconnection, education, plant diversity

CONSERVATION MESSAGE:

Green spaces are Nature’s playground. Get out and connect with plants!

Wake up and smell the coffee! 2/3 of the world’s population drink coffee – everything we drink involves plants

Climb a tree – it gets you closer to heaven

Target 15: The number of trained people working with appropriate facilities sufficient according to national needs, to achieve the targets of this strategy

Keywords: training, botany, research, capacity building, funding

CONSERVATION MESSAGE:

To be added…

Target 16: Institutions, networks and partnerships for plant conservation established or strengthened at national, regional and international levels to achieve the targets of this Strategy

Keywords: network, plant conservation, professional development, partnership

CONSERVATION MESSAGE:

To be added…

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