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Save a plant species outright today
There are an estimated 400,000 plant species on Earth - as many as a quarter are threatened with extinction. The Millennium Seed Bank Partnership works with partner countries to collect seed from plants and habitats at risk from climate change and the ever-increasing impact of human activities. We also save the seed of plants faced with the threat of extinction and those of most use in the future. The seeds are banked at Kew's Millennium Seed Bank and in partner seed banks around the world.
By 2020, our aim is to secure the safe storage of seed from 25% of the world’s wild plant species. The average amount it costs to ensure a species of plant will never become extinct is £2,000.
Choose the plant that you'd like to save
We have collected together a range of plant species which you can sponsor outright. The seed of these plants is stored in the vaults at Kew's Millennium Seed Bank. You can choose the plant that you'd like to save forever by browsing our galleries of species available at £1,000, £2,000, plus our new gallery of orchids from Madagascar.
To recognise your extraordinary contribution, we will send you a certificate and a photograph of the plant species that you are responsible for safeguarding. You'll also receive an invitation to go behind the scenes on a tour of Kew's Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst, West Sussex. We will also record your gift on the touchscreen register located in the building.
To save a species outright today, choose from our Galleries, or contact Jill Taylor on 0208 332 3248 (Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm),
Save a Madagascar orchid for £1,000
Orchids are the largest family of flowering plants in Madagascar with over 1,000 species described by science, and more to be discovered. In return for saving a species for £1,000, you'll receive a personalised certificate and photo of your plant. We'll also invite you on a tour of Kew's Millennium Seed Bank.
Save a species for £2,000
African violet (Saintpaulia ionantha) is instantly recognisable and in the wild, the family (Gesneriaceae) is found in the wet rainforests of tropical east Africa, growing on vertical cliff faces deep within the forests. All 20 species of Saintpaula are threatened - when forests are cleared for much-needed fuel wood, the cliff faces are exposed to sunlight, killing these shade-loving plants.
By sponsoring African violet, you can be the person to secure the safe storage of this beautiful plant. We have two collections at Kew's Millennium Seed Bank available, from Kenya and Tanzania.
Choose your orchid
Save a species for £1,000
A wild meadow plant species from the UK, the dropwort (Filipendula vulgaris) has fine fern-like leaves and pretty white flowers.
Kew's Millennium Seed Bank already has the seed of this species safe in its vaults, and also, as with all its collections, banked in the country of origin.
Save this beautiful plant species for our future for just £1,000 today.
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