Protected Areas

with botanic gardens in Brazil, and nowthere are currently over three thousandprofessionals involved with this activity.The initial group of eight botanicalgardens that joined in 1991 increased to32, some of which came about throughthe stimulus and technical supportprovided by the RBJB. The network isopen to new members and throughoutthe country the members are benefitedby the synergy and constant exchange ofinformation that the Network yields.The Network’s work is directed at theimplementation of the Convention onBiological Diversity, and focus is placedon the Global Strategy for the PlantConservation. In this sense, the followingmeasures are highlighted: a) technicalmeetings aimed at strengthening botanicgardens; b) encourage to technicalscientificpublications; c) disseminateand support the implementation of thePlan of Action of Brazilian BotanicalGardens; d) develop programs for thecapacity building of technicians andmanagers; e) raise government awarenessto the creation, consolidation andmaintenance of botanical gardens; f)support discussions for the improvementof current legislation; g) incentivesfor integrated measures that aim atoptimizing conservation of Brazilianflora; h) stimulate cooperation betweenbotanic gardens, arboretums and relatedinstitutions that maintain scientificcollections of live plants and preservedmaterial, as well as among scientistsand technicians from such institutions;i) encourage taxonomy studies ofplants to the benefit of humanity andenvironmental education not only at alleducational levels, but to the generalpublic as well; j) encourage the study ofcorrect practices with which to introduceplants in the scientific collections ofbotanic gardens and the like; k) fosterexchange of documents, informationand specimen that are of mutual interestamong botanic gardens, arboretums andsimilar institutions; l) foster and supportconservation of rare and/or endangeredspecies; m) increment the role of botanicgardens in the conservation of theBrazilian biological diversity, in closeconnection with other institutions andfostering collaboration between the RBJBand such institutions; n) stimulate thecultivation of plants that have currentor potential economic interest; o)foster the creation of regional thematiccollections in botanic gardens; p) provideconsultancy services and support tothe creation of new botanic gardens; q)stimulate the connection between botanicgardens and universities at the nationaland international scale, especiallywith universities that develop activitiespertaining to plant sciences.54