A history of world leading seed research and collection at Kew

1897-98

H.T. Brown and F. Escombe publish 'A note on the influence of very low temperatures on the germinative power of seeds'. Studies were carried out at Kew.

1902

RBG Kew apply to register 'Millennium' as a trademark for seeds and plants.

1965

Seed research is undertaken by the Physiology Section of the Jodrell Laboratory, using collections at Kew.

The first cold store at Wakehurst Place in the old chapel of the Mansion house

Rudimentary seed bank built up during late 1960s by Kew's Living Collections Division to support the annual exchange of material between botanic gardens.

1973

Physiology Section transfers to Wakehurst Place.

The first seed laboratory at Wakehurst Place

1974

Seed bank incorporated into Physiology Section at Wakehurst Place under Dr Peter Thompson. First major seed collecting expedition to the Mediterranean.

1978

The building of the Orchard Workshop (one of Britain's first metric buildings) incorporates a purpose built seed bank and the provision of modern glasshouse facilities.

1979

Purchase of a "mini" computer for data handling.

1980

Dr Thompson leaves; Roger Smith takes over.

1981

Banking and research functions clearly separated.

1983

Kew's Millennium Seed Bank focuses collecting to support Kew's Survey of Economic Plants for the Arid and Semi-arid Tropics. This project is now known as SEPSAL.

1989

First full-time seed collector appointed, put forward by Professor Mike Bennett (former Keeper of Jodrell).

1990

Second full-time seed collector supported by Marks & Spencer, and later by an appeal from the Friends of Kew.

1992

Initial draft for a global seed banking project.

1993

Financial planning for the project commenced, undertaken by Sir Jeffrey Bowman, retired co-chairman of (then) Price Waterhouse World Firm.

1995

Proposal for the Millennium Seed Bank Project submitted to the Millennium Commission. Successful application announced in December makes front page news (London Evening Standard) and widespread TV coverage.

1996

Millennium Seed Bank Appeal launched on 31 May by HRH The Prince of Wales with Sir David Attenborough as patron.

Kew's Foundation under its Chief Executive, Giles Coode-Adams secures substantial sponsorship including that of Orange plc, the premier sponsor.

John Lavin, Kew's Director of Operations becomes Project Director.

Hew Prendergast collecting a common central Australian shrub in Trephina Gorge National Park 1989

1997

The Wellcome Trust announces substantial donation to the MSB Project. Reception hosted by HRH The Prince of Wales at St. James's Palace on behalf of the Project.

1998

Construction of the Wellcome Trust Millennium Building starts.

1999

The Seed Conservation Department under Roger Smith is established to manage the Project.

Professor Sir Ghillean Prance, Director of RBG Kew and a key player in the establishment of the Project, retires.
 

2000

The UK Flora Programme part of the Project substantially completed.

Second phase of the seed conservation Project begins, involving partner organisations around the globe.

Roger Smith is awarded an OBE in the Queen's New Year Honours for services to the Project.

Wellcome Trust Millennium Building completed and opened by HRH the Prince of Wales on 20th November.

2001

Agreements on collaboration signed by seven countries.

2003

Collaboration agreements signed with 16 countries.
 

2004

European Seed Conservation Network (ENSCONET) funded for five years by an EU grant of € 2.5m. Involves 19 institutes from 12 countries with RBG Kew as co-ordinator.

2005

Roger Smith retires as Head of Seed Conservation Department and Leader of MSB Project to take over a fund-raising role in support of the Project. His place is taken by Dr Paul Smith who had previously worked as an International Co-ordinator for the Project.

2006

Species intake for international phase of Project exceeds 10,000. Formal partnerships with 47 organisations in 17 countries.
 

2007

The project's billionth seed is collected and presented to Gordon Brown (then Chancellor of the Exchequer) at 11 Downing Street. It is later banked on International Biodiversity day by Barry Gardiner, the UK Government's Minister for Biodiversity, Landscape and Rural Affairs.

2008

Species intake for the international phase of the project stands at just over 18,000 by the end of March - 75% of the way towards reaching the target.