News published: 10 June 2026

The International Plant Sentinel Network (IPSN) has released its special Plant Health Week edition in celebration of International Plant Health Day and National Plant Health Week. This issue spotlights the vital role botanic gardens and arboreta play in plant health, from biosecurity surveillance and early pest detection to education and community engagement. Newsletter highlights include:

• New IPSN posters, factsheets, and updated practical guides to support pest and disease monitoring in living collections
• Calls to action for gardens growing beech, hawthorn, and New Zealand species to join monitoring programmes
• The launch of the BeXyl Spanish educational resource kit on Xylella fastidiosa, which was unveiled at the Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid-CSIC
• Plant safeguarding community stories, including Castle Howard Arboretum’s volunteer-led “Wednesday Tree Murder Club”