Conservation
NEWS | RESOURCES | AWARDS | COMMITTEE | CONSERVATION GRANTS
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 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.
Click here to see a list of recent grant recipients and view information about their conservation projects.
Conservation Grants
One of the duties of the Conservation Committee is to review conservation grant submissions from around the world, award grants to deserving projects, monitor their progress, and evaluate outcomes. Click the image to the right to download the Conservation Grant Application. Find out more about recently awarded grants, by clicking here.
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.
Conservation News
The most recent updates from our Conservation Committee.
IUCN Cactus Assessment Updates
Join Us to Protect the Sonoran Desert
Past Webinar: Discover Yemen
Past Webinar: Conservation Forum
“The Economist” Examines the Global Problem of Cactus and Succulent Poaching
March 6, 2026 Dear CSSA Members, A recent article in The Economist, written by Charlie McCann, a feature writer for 1843, explores the growing global problem of cactus and succulent poaching, highlighting how rising demand for rare plants has fueled…
The CSSA Conservation Committee
Promotes the conservation of succulent plants by drafting Society policy, researching, advocating for best practices, and disseminating conservation information.
They 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
Members: Peter Breslin, Kelly Griffin, Rod Haenni, Buck Hemenway, Ann Hopkinson, Jeff Pavlat, Michiel Pillet, and Vonn Watkins