Saving seeds in the bank for future use

Kew's Millennium Seed Bank partnership is working to collect and save seeds throughout the world. Our efforts focus on habitats and species that are a priority for seed conservation.

Hands holding seeds collected in Burkina Faso

Seeds collected in Burkina Faso (Image: Andrew McRobb, RBG Kew)

With the help of published information and specially prepared collection guides, experienced scientists from Kew's Millennium Seed Bank partnership undertake expeditions to identify and collect seeds for conservation. The seeds, together with pressed plant specimens and vital field data are brought back to seed banks around the world for processing, research and long term storage.

As well as Kew's Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst Place, our partners located around the world also have the capacity for storing seed samples. They are centres of seed conservation excellence within their countries.

Kew's Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst Place is particularly important because of the extensive laboratories it houses and the comprehensive experience of its staff. These scientists are dedicated to the cleaning, storage, germination-testing and study of seed.

Collecting seeds in the field | Saving seeds at the seed bank

Four seed conservationists surrounded by mountains

Seed conservationists recording seed data in the field (Image: Vanessa Bertenshaw, RBG Kew)

Working together to save plants worldwide

Kew's Millennium Seed Bank partnership is built on a network of organisations around the world that share a common interest in the conservation of wild plant diversity.

Our partners include other botanic gardens around the world, tree seed centres, government genebanks, universities, and a wide range of NGOs. Each partnership is different, but our common aim is to collect and conserve seeds and strengthen our capacity for the successful collection, storage and use of seeds.

As well as our common aim, another strength of our network is co-operation. Our partners share information, skills and expertise across state and national borders. Each partnership is based on a legally binding contract, such as an Access and Benefit Sharing Agreement, in which the obligations of Partners exchanging seeds and information are clearly set out.

The seeds we collect are kept in seed banks in the country of origin, and duplicate samples are sent to Kew's Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst Place for testing and long term storage. Visit our interactive map to discover more about Kew's Millennium Seed Bank partnership around the world.

How you can help...

Plants are under threat in today's world. Each day the world’s plants are more and more at risk. If we continue on our current path, we will lose a species a day for the next 50 years.

By making a donation to Kew's Millennium Seed Bank partnership, you can help one of the largest and most ambitious conservation projects in the world make a real difference. Find out how your donation can make a difference.