General Resolution (2/3)

Emphasising the importance that botanic gardens need to place in managing their collections in accordance with the articles covering Access and Benefit Sharing under the Convention on Biological Diversity, and complying with the principles of the recently enacted Nagoya Protocol, the Congress recommends that botanic gardens and networks:

• Become fully engaged and familiar with the Nagoya Protocol and its implementation in their country.
• Submit case-studies to their national networks that exemplify both the tangible and intangible benefits shared by BGs with provider countries;
• always act in a manner that builds trust and transparency and enhances the willingness of provider countries to engage in collaborative conservation programmes;
• support and use the International Plant Exchange Network (IPEN) in the exchange of materials between institutions.

General Resolution (3/3)

Recognising the dedication, support and guidance provided over the past 20 years, as well as the remarkable advances and improvements in garden management, organisation and engagement that have taken place in that time, the Congress wishes to record its gratitude to:

• the European Botanic Gardens Consortium, national networks, botanic gardens, and especially the many hard-working individuals who have supported and enhanced the work of gardens throughout Europe;
• Botanic Gardens Conservation International, and all its staff over the years for its invaluable support; and
• those individuals who have organised the past seven congresses for their dedication to the success and achievements of EuroGard.

EuroGard VII Congress Conclusions

Theme A - Cadres stratégiques et bonnes pratiques pour les jardins botaniques / Strategic frameworks and best practice for botanic gardens

Noting the significant progress that has been made in garden management across Europe;
Recognising the quality of horticultural knowledge that has been built over many centuries in European gardens; and
Aware of the challenge of accurate identification of material, the documentation of collections and the regulation burden;
The Congress calls upon botanic gardens to:

• Engage with BGCI's GardenSearch and PlantSearch databases so that indicators of GSPC targets can be measured and networking enhanced;
• Continue to seek ways to record, preserve and share horticultural knowledge as widely as possible;
• Enhance the quality of data and record keeping, including ecological data recording;
• Develop means to store and maintain regulatory and other necessary documentation and share their experiences with gardens in their networks.

The Congress further calls upon national and regional networks to:

• Continue working together to raise standards of curation, record-keeping, data-handling and compliance across all gardens in their networks;
• Cultivate connections and engagement with civil and political society to build support and influence for botanic gardens.

EuroGard VII Congress Conclusions

Theme B: Science du végétal, ethnobotanique et les spèces exotiques envahissantes / Plant Science, Ethnobotany and invasive species

Aware of the upcoming regulation on Invasive Alien Species in the EU and of the work already undertaken on invasive species by many gardens and the European Botanic Garden Consortium; and Mindful of the excellent work already being undertaken in botanic gardens to promote an interest in our native floras; The Congress encourages botanic gardens to:

• Continue to raise awareness on invasive alien species in their collections and always label these appropriately;
• Promote traditional knowledge on plants to their visitors and use this as an proven tool for engaging interest in plants locally and generally;
• Develop displays that encourage an appreciation for our native flora and the role of botanic gardens in its conservation;
• Help to set up identification and early warning systems for plant diseases and harmful animals.

EuroGard VII Congress Conclusions

Theme C: Patrimoine, Culture et Tourisme / Heritage, Culture and Tourism

Recognising that botanic gardens are often major tourism destinations; and Mindful that many have historic constraints on their ability to adapt; The Congress recommends that botanic gardens:

• Raise awareness of the history of science and botanic gardens through innovative displays and events;
• Take part in the annual Fascination of Plants Day (May 18) and other biodiversity related days;
• Develop a marketing strategy and ensure that they are able to measure the impact of this strategy in terms of the needs and perceptions of their visitors.

EuroGard VII Congress Conclusions

Theme D: Conserver au jardin et dans la nature / Conservation in the garden and in the wild

Mindful that there is no technical reason why species should become extinct in these days of micro-propagation, cryopreservation and seed banking skills; Appreciating the remarkable progress that botanic gardens have already made in developing integrated in-situ / ex-situ projects with expanding work in translocations, transplantations, native seed science and studies on population genetics; and Aware of the serious conservation concerns raised by the over-exploitation of horticultural and medicinal plants; the Congress calls upon botanic gardens to:

• Be mindful that all conservation work should be undertaken using the best possible techniques, scientific knowledge and understanding;
• Ensure that work is well documented and shared where appropriate;
• Engage with and promote where possible the work of IUCN, CITES, TRAFFIC and others in ensuring legal, sustainable and appropriate use of wild plants including through the promotion of the FairWild standard.

EuroGard VII Congress Conclusions

Theme E: Jardins botaniques et changement climatique / Botanic Gardens and Climate Change

Recognising that some botanic gardens across Europe are already part of the International Phenological Gardens network; Mindful of the Baltic experiences with a network of gardens trialling plant clones across climatic zones; and Noting that the conservation community is lacking evidence and understanding of the effects of climate change; the Congress asks gardens and networks to:

• Encourage the gathering of phenological and climate related data;
• Promote climatic change related studies across networks of gardens;

EuroGard VII Congress Conclusions

Theme F: Sensibiliser l’homme au végétal / Enseigner la botanique / Connecting people to plants / Teaching botany

Acknowledging the important role that botanic gardens continue to play in connecting people to nature; Recognising the importance of education, activities and engagement with civil society; The Congress encourages gardens to:

• Explore innovative ways of engaging new audiences within their gardens;
• To find ways of bringing plant education outside the botanic gardens and promoting nature, especially in urban settings.

EuroGard VII Congress Conclusions

Theme G: Réseaux, coopération et partenariats / Networking, cooperation and capacity building

Acknowledging the work of the European Botanic Gardens Consortium in developing strong co-operation amongst botanic Gardens across Europe; Recognising the value of developing charters or codes of practice that provide a roadmap and help gardens to achieve greater standards, capacities as well as political and societal recognition; Noting the establishment of the Ecological Restoration Alliance (ERA) and the unique expertise botanic gardens have to offer to restoration; The Congress encourages botanic gardens to:

• Develop and participate in national partnerships linking botanic gardens with other sectors;
• Develop principles and targets in order to raise standards of horticulture, data management and public engagement;
• Reach out to botanic gardens and partners in developing countries, and countries with economies in transition, to develop mentoring, support and capacity-building projects;
• Consider how their work might contribute to the (ERA) in order to scale up restoration action.

EuroGard VII Congress Conclusions

Merci pour les hôtes , organisateurs et commanditaires / Thanks to the host, organisers, and sponsors

The Congress congratulates our hosts, Le Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN), and extends its thanks to its director Eric Joly and Jean-Patrick le Duc, Maïté Delmas, Guiraud Michel and all their staff for the warm welcome and organisation of a successful meeting.

We further commend our hosts on the remarkable transformation and improvements that they have brought about at the Museum, in particular the redevelopment, reconditioning and digitisation of the herbarium, a laudable contribution to the understanding of the world's plant diversity and testament to their status as one of the world’s premier institutions.

We extend our thanks to the Organising committee: Eric Joly, Jean-Patrick Le Duc, Maïté Delmas, Frédéric Achille, Pedro Saiz, Nelly Huguet, Brigitte Carmine, Chantal Grizard (MNHN); Fanch le Hir, Romaric Perrocheau, Renée Buzy Debat, Pascale Gueguen (JBF); Suzanne Sharrock and Joachim Gratzfeld (BGCI); Eleni Maloupa (EBGC); Peter Wyse Jackson (GPPC); Philippe Bardin (CBN); Noéline Raondry Rakotoarisoa (UNESCO); and Robert Hoft (CBD).

We recognise the special work of the Scientific committee in delivering such an excellent programme of talks: Denis Larpin, Serge Bahuchet, Stephen Blackmore, Laurent Bray, Michel Cambornac, Jean-Marc Drouin, Frédéric Dupont, Thomas Haevermans, Frédéric Hendoux, Anca Leroy, Pierre-André Loizeau, Serge Muller, Jan Plesnik, Dominique Richard, Philippe Richard, Bernard Riera et Marc-André Selosse.

We have been delighted to have had the opportunity of meeting colleagues from beyond Europe in particular from west and central Africa, the Indian Ocean and Haiti and we commend the MNHN and BGCI for their initiative in inviting these partners, and on the signing of the “Sud Expert Plantes Developpement Durable”

We gratefully acknowledge le Mairie de Paris, Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques Ville de Genève, Fondation IRIS, IRIS BG, Fondation Yves Rocher et la Société Botanique de France for their generous assistance.