Conservation Forum immediately following this Webinar
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Airing Date: March 21, 2026
Time: 10AM Pacific Time
About the Presenter
Steven A. Blackwell serves as Conservation Collections Manager at the Desert Botanical Garden, where he leads efforts to collect, propagate, and curate living collections of rare, threatened, and endangered plant species. He also manages the Garden’s seed bank, which supports research initiatives and preserves seeds from thousands of rare and common plants, safeguarding critical genetic resources for future study and conservation.
Steven holds a B.S. in Urban Horticulture (2005) and a B.S. in Conservation Biology and Ecological Sustainability (2009) from Arizona State University.
His work focuses on rare plant conservation through salvage, reintroduction, propagation, horticulture, seed biology, and plant ecology. He is particularly interested in understanding the mechanisms that control seed dormancy and viability, and in developing innovative strategies to raise public awareness about the importance of conserving rare plant species.
Through his leadership in conservation collections and seed banking, Steven contributes to advancing scientific knowledge while helping ensure the long-term survival of vulnerable plant species.
About the Webinar
In this engaging presentation, Steven will explore the innovative use of scent detection dogs in rare plant monitoring, a powerful conservation tool that is helping researchers locate and protect vulnerable species in challenging habitats.
In addition, he will discuss other important aspects of his conservation work at the Desert Botanical Garden, including:
- Developing propagation techniques and protocols for rare plants
- Seed germination and viability studies
- Plant salvage efforts
- Species reintroduction initiatives
This webinar offers a unique opportunity to learn about cutting-edge conservation strategies directly from a professional working at the forefront of rare plant preservation.
Recordings
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