3.6 KiB
3.6 KiB
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
-
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
-
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
-
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