Help for habitats

Conserving what remains of the world’s intact habitats.

Kew has a long history of conserving rare species in its living collections but it also has skills and expertise that are invaluable for planning and carrying out practical conservation programmes. This work on the ground helps to protect wild plants in the areas where they grow.

From the cloud forests of Cameroon to the dry lowland forests of Sumatra, Kew has helped to establish new national parks, contributing to the planning and training of local staff.

Kew's Breathing Planet Programme (pdf) | Help Kew: Adopt a seed for £25

International policy

As the leading global centre for botanical research, Kew’s work is shaped by two important international conventions. These are the United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Kew works in partnership with institutions and governments in many countries, and advises the UK Government on CBD policy and practice.

Sharing our data

Kew is committed to making its resources accessible to botanists around the world. Many scientists visit the Gardens each year to make use of our collections in their research, and many more access information about Kew's work and collections via our extensive databases, available online.

We also lend out herbarium specimens to fellow botanists around the world. Forensic police, pharmaceutical companies, horticulturalists, agronomists and historians also rely on information from Kew's collections.