Conservation

NEWS | RESOURCES | AWARDS | COMMITTEE

CSSA supports the conservation of xerophytic plants and their habitats through education, direct grants to conservation projects, and awards that recognize leaders in desert conservation. All of these programs are managed by the Conservation Committee.

Conservation news

The most recent updates from our Conservation Committee.

Past Webinar: WHOA, Mexico!

2024-10-03
Gabriel Diaz Infante Daley will share his exuberance and enthusiasm for cactus and other succulents.

Past Webinar: The Cactus Hunters with Jared D. Margulies

2024-04-20
Jared Margulies delves into the world of global cactus and succulent collecting to explore how and why some of the most passionate lovers of these plants may engage in their illicit trade and what underpins this demand.

Resources

Conservation Statement

In the fall of 2023, the CSSA enacted a newly clarified conservation policy statement to guide our operations and suggest principles for our affiliate organizations to adopt for themselves.

Avoid being part of the problem

Conserving wild plants is complicated because poached plants are often trafficked in a way that masks their origin. By learning to identify endangered species and the warning signs a plant might be habitat collected, you can avoid being fooled when these are offered for sale.

Just remember, knowledge is only the first step. It’s still up to all of us to do the right thing when presented with an offer that seems “too good to be true”.

The below poster was produced by www.ethicalcactus.com with a Conservation Grant from CSSA.

A poster that teaches people to identify and avoid purchasing poached plants that were collected from habitat

Conservation Awards

The Conservation Committee selects an awardee for the CSSA Conservation Award presented at each CSSA convention. Nominees for this prestigious award may be individuals, groups, or organizations. Nominees need not be CSSA Members, but should have had a broad impact on promoting the initiatives of CSSA.

List of winners coming soon

The CSSA Conservation Committee

We promote the conservation of succulent plants by drafting Society policy, researching and advocating for best practices, and disseminating conservation information. 

We also award grants for conservation related projects.

Committee Members

The Conservation Committee is comprised of board members, CSSA members at large, and advisors from partner institutions.

Co-Chairs: Irwin Lightstone, Buck Hemenway
Members: Rod Haenni, Jeff Pavlat, Kelly Griffin, Ann Hopkinson, Peter Breslin, and Michiel Pillet

Contact

vicepresident@cactusandsucculentsociety.org