Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), a partner of Brooklyn Botanic Garden, has launched Plants for the Planet, a website to promote support for BCGI’s Global Strategy for Plant Conservation. BCGI’s Global Strategy is a campaign that sets 16 targets for coordinated international plant conservation efforts.

Many scientists estimate that up to two thirds of the world's plant species could be threatened by the end of this century, and urgent steps are required to document and preserve endangered species. BCGI hopes that Plants for the Planet will raise awareness of the importance of plants and the ecosystems they help sustain and increase popular support for plant conservation.

Plants for the Planet was created to coincide with the tenth Conference of Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity, which will be held in Japan in mid-October. CBD COP 10 is expected to assess achievement of the 2010 target to reduce significantly the rate of biodiversity loss, adopt an international regime on access and benefit sharing, and celebrate 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity.

To pledge your support for the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, visit www.plantsfortheplanet.com.