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Hortis by Species360 and BGANZ announce strategic partnership to advance botanical record-keeping across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand

Hortis Team

June 12th, 2025

Hortis by Species360 and the Botanic Gardens of Australia and New Zealand (BGANZ) are pleased to announce the renewal of their strategic partnership, aimed at strengthening plant conservation efforts through improved plant record-keeping and data sharing across botanic gardens in the region.

Plants are crucial to supporting healthy ecosystems and sustaining all life on earth, but with an estimated 45% of the world’s flowering plant species at risk of extinction, the role of botanic gardens in conservation has never been more critical. These institutions are not only vital for the ex situ conservation of threatened species but also for providing the scientific knowledge and living collections that underpin effective restoration and biodiversity protection efforts. BGANZ, as the leading body representing over 150 members, including more than 90 botanic gardens and arboreta across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, plays a pivotal role in uniting and strengthening this vital botanical network.

Through this partnership, Hortis, a modern plant records platform developed by non-profit Species360, will continue to support BGANZ members in maintaining high-quality, standardized plant records. Hortis aims to help gardens succeed in their missions by making record-keeping easy and accessible.

“BGANZ is committed to supporting our members with tools and technologies that strengthen their conservation impact and promote best practices” said Casandra Nichols, CEO, Botanic Gardens Australia and New Zealand (BGANZ). “This partnership with Hortis aligns with our vision of a future where plants are protected and valued, ensuring a greener, healthier, and resilient world for generations to come.

Reflecting that shared vision, Havard Ostgaard, Director of Botanical Solutions at Species360, emphasized the value of the collaboration: “We are thrilled to continue our long-standing partnership with BGANZ. By working together with BGANZ, we aim to equip gardens with the tools they need to safeguard plant diversity and further their educational and research impacts.”

Through the partnership, BGANZ members will receive one complimentary licence seat for every licence seat they purchase in their first year’s subscription to Hortis, as well as free onboarding and data migrations at a reduced rate. This offer is designed to support collaboration across teams of all sizes, enabling subscribers to grow their collection at pace as they get set up in Hortis – without being held back by additional costs. It compliments Hortis’ sustainable pricing structure and builds on the strong collaboration already seen over the past four years with BGANZ members.

About BGANZ:

BGANZ is the peak body representing botanic gardens across Australia and New Zealand. With over 150 members, 90+ of which are botanic gardens and arboreta, our vision is to create a future where plants are valued and protected, ensuring a greener, healthier and more resilient world for generations to come.

Operating since 2004, our membership is not limited to botanic gardens but has expanded to allied institutions that share our vision including zoos, councils, cemeteries, nurseries, educational institutions and non-botanic gardens. We envision a future where every community has access to diverse and healthy plant life, where green spaces are cherished and protected, and where sustainable livelihoods are built around the cultivation and preservation of plants.

Learn more: https://www.bganz.org.au/

About Hortis by Species360:

Species360 is a non-profit organization that brings together a global community of zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, and wildlife organizations to collect, share, and use vital data on plants and animals under human care. Through our plant and animal record-keeping software platforms, we support our members in their efforts to advance animal welfare, plant care, drive conservation efforts, and support groundbreaking research with the world’s most comprehensive zoological and botanical information systems.

In 2022, Species360 expanded its mission to include flora in addition to fauna, and extended our impact to botanical record-keeping, with the addition of Hortis – a cloud based platform that ensures reliable tracking and management of botanical collections, fostering a holistic approach to biodiversity preservation.

Thoughtfully designed, with an emphasis on ease of use, productivity, and low cost of ownership, Hortis is the next generation plant collection platform for tracking your plant collection, making professional collection management accessible to everyone.

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