# Plant Conservation Specialist

**Organization:** Oregon Botanical Gardens  
**Location:** Portland, Oregon  
**Duration:** April 2017 - May 2020

## Position Overview
As Plant Conservation Specialist at the Oregon Botanical Gardens, I managed the institution's ex-situ conservation program for rare and endangered plant species native to the Pacific Northwest. This position bridged scientific research, hands-on horticulture, and public education.

## Key Responsibilities

### Ex-situ Conservation Program
- Coordinated conservation collections for 45 rare and endangered plant species
- Developed and maintained comprehensive database of accession records, phenology data, and propagation histories
- Established genetic management protocols to ensure maximum diversity in conservation collections
- Collaborated with Center for Plant Conservation on national rare plant conservation initiatives

### Propagation & Cultivation
- Designed specialized growing environments for challenging species with specific habitat requirements
- Experimented with various propagation techniques including tissue culture, specialized seed treatments, and vegetative methods
- Maintained detailed documentation of successful and unsuccessful propagation attempts
- Achieved first-ever successful cultivation of three critically endangered Oregon wildflowers

### Reintroduction Planning
- Collaborated with federal and state agencies on plant reintroduction strategies
- Conducted site assessments to evaluate habitat suitability for reintroductions
- Developed monitoring protocols to track survival and reproduction of reintroduced populations
- Prepared detailed reintroduction plans for 8 endangered species

### Research Projects
- Designed and implemented germination studies for 15 rare species with unknown propagation requirements
- Conducted pollination biology investigations for several endangered plant species
- Collaborated with university researchers on seed viability and longevity studies
- Maintained comprehensive records of phenological patterns across multiple growing seasons

### Education & Outreach
- Developed educational materials explaining the importance of plant conservation
- Led specialized tours focusing on rare plant conservation for visitors and donors
- Trained volunteers in proper care of sensitive plant collections
- Created interpretive signage for conservation garden displays

## Notable Projects

1. **Willamette Valley Prairie Species Recovery**
   - Established seed bank of 25 declining prairie species
   - Developed germination protocols that improved propagation success from 30% to 75%
   - Produced over 5,000 plants for restoration projects throughout the region

2. **Alpine Rare Plant Conservation Initiative**
   - Created specialized growing facilities mimicking alpine conditions
   - Successfully propagated 8 high-elevation rare species never before cultivated
   - Documented critical temperature and moisture requirements for germination

3. **Serpentine Soils Conservation Collection**
   - Developed custom soil mixes replicating challenging serpentine conditions
   - Maintained living collection of 12 rare serpentine endemic species
   - Created public display educating visitors about specialized plant adaptations

## Achievements
- Received "Conservation Innovation Award" from the American Public Gardens Association (2019)
- Developed propagation protocol for Kincaid's lupine that doubled germination success rates
- Established Oregon Botanical Gardens' first dedicated conservation nursery facility
- Created seed banking protocols adopted by three other botanical institutions