63 lines
3.6 KiB
Markdown
63 lines
3.6 KiB
Markdown
# Plant Conservation Specialist
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**Organization:** Oregon Botanical Gardens
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**Location:** Portland, Oregon
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**Duration:** April 2017 - May 2020
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## Position Overview
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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.
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## Key Responsibilities
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### Ex-situ Conservation Program
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- Coordinated conservation collections for 45 rare and endangered plant species
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- Developed and maintained comprehensive database of accession records, phenology data, and propagation histories
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- Established genetic management protocols to ensure maximum diversity in conservation collections
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- Collaborated with Center for Plant Conservation on national rare plant conservation initiatives
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### Propagation & Cultivation
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- Designed specialized growing environments for challenging species with specific habitat requirements
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- Experimented with various propagation techniques including tissue culture, specialized seed treatments, and vegetative methods
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- Maintained detailed documentation of successful and unsuccessful propagation attempts
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- Achieved first-ever successful cultivation of three critically endangered Oregon wildflowers
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### Reintroduction Planning
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- Collaborated with federal and state agencies on plant reintroduction strategies
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- Conducted site assessments to evaluate habitat suitability for reintroductions
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- Developed monitoring protocols to track survival and reproduction of reintroduced populations
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- Prepared detailed reintroduction plans for 8 endangered species
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### Research Projects
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- Designed and implemented germination studies for 15 rare species with unknown propagation requirements
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- Conducted pollination biology investigations for several endangered plant species
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- Collaborated with university researchers on seed viability and longevity studies
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- Maintained comprehensive records of phenological patterns across multiple growing seasons
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### Education & Outreach
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- Developed educational materials explaining the importance of plant conservation
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- Led specialized tours focusing on rare plant conservation for visitors and donors
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- Trained volunteers in proper care of sensitive plant collections
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- Created interpretive signage for conservation garden displays
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## Notable Projects
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1. **Willamette Valley Prairie Species Recovery**
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- Established seed bank of 25 declining prairie species
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- Developed germination protocols that improved propagation success from 30% to 75%
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- Produced over 5,000 plants for restoration projects throughout the region
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2. **Alpine Rare Plant Conservation Initiative**
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- Created specialized growing facilities mimicking alpine conditions
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- Successfully propagated 8 high-elevation rare species never before cultivated
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- Documented critical temperature and moisture requirements for germination
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3. **Serpentine Soils Conservation Collection**
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- Developed custom soil mixes replicating challenging serpentine conditions
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- Maintained living collection of 12 rare serpentine endemic species
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- Created public display educating visitors about specialized plant adaptations
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## Achievements
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- Received "Conservation Innovation Award" from the American Public Gardens Association (2019)
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- Developed propagation protocol for Kincaid's lupine that doubled germination success rates
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- Established Oregon Botanical Gardens' first dedicated conservation nursery facility
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- Created seed banking protocols adopted by three other botanical institutions |