Kew 's Millennium Seed Bank Launches Lecture Series in West Sussex

The Millennium Seed Bank is launching a series of lectures to highlight the work of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in science-based plant conservation. The Millennium Seed Bank, located at Kew's country garden, Wakehurst Plac , at Ardingly, West Sussex is the most ambitious wild plant seed conservation project in the world and aims to save the world's most endangered plant species from extinction.

The lecture series will comprise three evening presentations by the Kew Millennium Seed Bank's senior management team, each an expert in their field:

Tools Used by Modern Plant Collectors - May 6, 7pm .

Dr Paul Smith will explain the use of plant and seed collection methodologies and tools, and give examples of the re-discovery of some of the world's rarest plants, as well as those that remain lost.

Paul Smith is leader of Kew's £80 Millennium Seed Bank Project and a specialist in ecology and plant diversity in southern, central and eastern Africa . He has extensive experience in ecological surveying, botanical inventory, vegetation mapping and monitoring, including the use of Geographical Information Systems and remote sensing techniques. All tickets: £10 to include a glass of wine .

The International Programme - Michael Way, June 3, 7pm

Through its Millennium Seed Bank project, Kew works with more than fifty organisations around the world to find, collect and bank seeds on behalf of future generations. In this lecture, Michael Way will illustrate the diversity of partnerships within the Millennium Seed Bank international programme and give some case examples from the Americas on how the partnerships actually work in practice.

Michael Way is an ecologist who co-ordinates the Americas activities of the Millennium Seed Bank Project. He has extensive experience of the science and practice of seed collecting and conservation and has carried out dozens of seed collecting expeditions since joining Kew in 1993. All tickets: £5 .

The Technology of Seed Banking - Dr Robin Probert, July 1, 7pm

Approximately, 90% of the flowering plants on earth have evolved seeds that can withstand drying. In nature this enables seeds to remain alive, sometimes for many years, until conditions are favourable for germination and plant growth. In this lecture, Dr Robin Probert will explain the science and technology of seed banking and demonstrate how this can be replicated at homes to save favourite plant seeds.

Robin Probert is Head of Technology & Training at  Kew's Millennium Seed Bank and the longest serving member of the team. All tickets: £5 .

There is a special ticket offer to attend all three Kew Millennium Seed Bank lectures of £15. The lecture series has been generously supported by the Dr H. Shawdon Charitable Trust.

For further information or to book a place, please contact Kew's Adult Education department on 01444 894310, email adulted@kew.org or download a booking form at www.kew.org. Lecture tickets are also available as gifts.

-ENDS-

Note to Editors:

Kew's Millennium Seed Bank is the largest wild plant seed bank in the world. The Millennium Seed Bank Project is one of the most ambitious global conservation projects. By 2010, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and its partners will have collected and conserved seed from 10 per cent of the world's wild flowering plant species (c.30, 000 species). The Millennium Seed Bank has the capacity to store up to half the world's wild flowering plant species and already holds 96 per cent of the UK's flora. Species for collection and conservation are prioritised by Kew 's partners: all are endangered, rare or of potential economic value. The Millennium Seed Bank has been made possible with generous funding from the Millennium Commission, the Wellcome Trust and Orange plc and other donors; however, it has no secured funding beyond 2010. For further information please visit www.kew.org/msbp.

Wakehurst Place, managed by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is home to ornamental gardens, temperate woodlands, two nature reserves and a sixteenth century Mansion. Located on the B2028 between Ardingly and Turners Hill (Junction 10 off the M23), it is open daily, from 10am, except December 24 and 25. For more information, telephone 01444 894066 or log on to www.kew.org.

Further Information

Sarah Oldridge

Adult Education Coordinator

Royal Botanic Gardens , Kew

Tel: 01444 894310

Email: adulted@kew.org

Sharon Buckley

Millennium Seed Bank Press Office

Royal Botanic Gardens , Kew

Tel: 01444 894018

Email:  msb@kew.org