The Illegal Plant Trade Coalition (IPTC) is bringing together plant conservation practitioners, researchers, botanic gardens and partners from around the world through a new online series focused on sharing practical knowledge and experience.

Running throughout October, the series will showcase a diverse range of plant conservation projects and approaches, highlighting the important work being undertaken by our IPTC partners.

The series will provide an opportunity for our partners to share their lessons learned, and practical experiences, while also creating space for discussion and exchange between participants. Topics will reflect the breadth of work across the Coalition, from conservation of threatened plant species and genetic resources to community engagement, horticulture, restoration, and the role of botanic gardens in plant conservation.

The series also reflects the strength of collaboration within the IPTC network. Contributions from our partners will help demonstrate how knowledge, expertise and experience can be shared across regions and institutions to strengthen the mitigation of the illegal plant trade and conservation practice.

We hope the series will provide an accessible platform for learning and collaboration, while helping to connect people working tirelessly to conserve plant diversity around the world.

Programme and registration

8 October 2026, 14:00 UTC (3:00 pm UK)

Building Resilience through Succulent Safe Spaces in South Africa’s Karoo / Safeguarding Cycads in South Africa (Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT))

12 October 2026, 14:00 UTC (3:00 pm UK)

Rewilding and DNA – A Way Forward to Address the Illegal Trade in Plants (National Botanic Gardens Ireland)

14 October 2026, 14:00 UTC (3:00 pm UK)

Spectroradiometry for species and provenance identification: a tool against the illegal plant trade (University of South Florida and University of Arizona – Member of  the IUCN SSC Succulent Plant Illegal Trade Task Force (SPITTF))

16 October, 17:00 UTC (6:00 pm UK)

Illegal Plant Trade in Somalia-Community Action, Law Enforcement Cooperation and Conservation (Species Saviour Initiative (SSI) Puntland, Somalia)

22 October 2026, 8:00 am PST (4:00 pm UK)

Studying the Illicit Trafficking of Cacti and Succulents through a Practitioner-Researcher Partnership (The Huntington & California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB))

 

23 October 2026, 10:00 am CST (4:00 pm UK)

Applying Animal Wildlife Trafficking Strategies and Policies to Combat the Illegal Plant Trade (Lincoln Park Zoo)

28 October, 2026, 10:00 am Mexico City (4:00 pm UK)

Plants Belong in the Wild: Science, Public Awareness, and Conservation in Action (Cadereyta Regional Botanic Garden, Mexico – Member of  the IUCN SSC Succulent Plant Illegal Trade Task Force (SPITTF))

29 October 2026, 1:00 am Mexico City (7:00 am UK)

Plants Belong in the Wild: Science, Public Awareness, and Conservation in Action (Cadereyta Regional Botanic Garden, Mexico – Member of  the IUCN SSC Succulent Plant Illegal Trade Task Force (SPITTF))