October gave us the opportunity to engage firsthand with the community, at three consecutive events where we gained valuable insights into the challenges faced by botanic gardens and zoos. We’re excited to continue working together to support your critical conservation efforts.

The APGA Plant Collection Symposium

The American Public Garden Association organized the 2024 Plant Collection Symposium under the theme, “Purposeful Plant Collections in a Changing World.” This event brought together over 140 delegates to explore the latest advancements in plant collection management, as well as to experience the exceptional work of the host gardens, the Morton Arboretum and the Chicago Botanic Garden. For many of us, it was our first visit to these renowned institutions, and the experience did not disappoint. Both gardens showcased stunning collections, meticulously cared for in beautiful settings—a true testament to the dedication and passion of everyone involved.

Special thanks go to the APGA, the host gardens, and the speakers for their efforts in creating such an impactful event. The panel discussion on taxonomic conundrums was highly engaging and underscored our strategy to offer a shared and integrated taxonomic perspective within Hortis as the optimal path forward. A new favorite word was added to my vocabulary: “nomenclutter”.😂 I would also like to highlight the incredible deep-dive tour with the record-keeping team at Chicago Botanic Garden. Immense gratitude to Jessica Wong, Gabriela Rocha, and Veronica Harry-Jackson for their insightful guidance throughout the tour. A heartfelt thanks as well to Paul Rafac, Jessica Goehler, Heather Sherwood, and Tim Johnson for their wonderful hospitality during my stay. Their generosity made this experience truly memorable.

Great interpretation of the interpretation at Chicago Botanical Garden

The AZH Annual Conference

The Association of Zoo Horticulture (AZH) in North America recently hosted its annual conference in Phoenix, and we were thrilled to attend for the first time. It was an invaluable opportunity to deepen our understanding of the unique horticultural challenges faced by the zoo community. During our presentation, we conducted a poll survey, summarized below, which revealed that few attendees are fully satisfied with their current approach to plant records. This insight reinforces our commitment to reducing barriers and enhancing the ease and value of record-keeping for everyone.

Saguara gigantea looming over the landscape at Phoenix Zoo

Our sincere thanks to AZH, the board and all the attendees for creating such a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere. It was a pleasure connecting with everyone, and we’re already looking forward to seeing you again soon and hopefully in Tampa, Florida, in 2025!

BIAZA Records Group Meeting

Our final stop in October took us to The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) Records Group Meeting at Twycross Zoo near Birmingham, UK. With over 100 zoo registrars from across the UK and Ireland, along with four other colleagues from Species360, it was a fantastic opportunity to reconnect and exchange ideas.

Though primarily organized for zoo registrars with an emphasis on animal record-keeping, the meeting provided valuable insights into the overlapping workflows and challenges related to zoo horticulture. We appreciated the chance to learn more about these shared processes and discuss the unique aspects of managing both animal and plant records, including handling complex animal-plant relationships.

During the meeting, we conducted a survey among participants, which we’ve summarized below. Notably, one question on the role of plants in the zoo experience revealed that 73% of zoos are actively focused on plants, and an additional 25% are interested in increasing their focus on plant collections. These insights are invaluable as we continue to explore ways to support both animal and plant record-keeping needs within zoos.