Conservation

The escalating destruction of indigenous forests throughout the developing world is of increasing international concern.

Vast expanses of woodland are being cleared to create fields for crops, pasture for livestock and charcoal for fuel. The destruction of forests, particularly the removal of trees, has a significant impact on the local environment including soil erosion, a reduction in native vegetation and the extinction of rare plant species.

The most effective way of preventing further environmental damage is to work with local people to increase their understanding of the importance of, and their commitment to, plant conservation.

Kew's international conservation projects are making a difference. Collaboration with governments and local agencies around the world is further strengthening our impact.

In Madagascar, for example, in line with the Malagasy Government's pledge on biodiversity, 800 of the island's 4,000 dryland species are already stored in the Millennium Seed Bank, ensuring their future survival. And thanks to the generous support of our donors there is now a growing generation of botanists, conservationists and scientists who have gained their qualifications on the island and will now use their knowledge to help preserve its flora.

We need your help now to spread Kew's environmental and conservation knowledge, through our work around the world.

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