The family Magnoliaceae is one of the most primitive taxa of angiosperms. Most Magnolias are widely enjoyed for their beautiful tree shape, large colourful fragrant flowers and elegance. For centuries, many species are grown in different cultures as ornamentals, timber or used for medicine. Furthermore, many species are dominant constituents of tropical, subtropical or warm temperate forests. Due to the degradation of natural habitats, many Magnolias have become highly threatened or extinct in the wild. For these reasons, it is important to engage collaborators in multi-disciplinary Magnolia projects, to prevent their extinction.

In order to exchange recent progress, enhance the protection and sustainable utilisation of Magnolias, and promote cooperative research and integrated conservation action in the neotropics, the Universidad de Guadalajara, the Centro Nacional de Recursos Genéticos INIFAP, Botanic Gardens, Conservation International and the Magnolia Society International, are organising the Neotropical Conservation Consortium for Magnolia and Conservation Horticulture Workshop for Magnolias to be held from July 8-15, of 2019 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, México. More information can be found here.