The Desert Botanical Garden in Arizona is preserving endangered desert orchids and cacti by collecting seeds for storage in a seed bank, aiming to protect these species from climate change and habitat loss, FOX 10 Phoenix reports.
Steve Blackwell, the conservation collections manager, cares for rare plants that are critically low in number. 'I work with species I’ve never grown before, so it’s my job to figure out how to grow them,' he told FOX 10 Phoenix. The program aims to protect both the plants and the ecosystems they support.
The Desert Botanical Garden also rehabilitates cacti taken by poachers, such as the Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus, which cannot be returned to the wild due to genetic contamination risks. Since 2023, the garden has been restoring the health of these plants, providing a safe haven from illegal trade, AZ Central reported.
Blackwell emphasized the seriousness of cactus poaching: 'Some collectors are pretty hardcore and will do anything to complete their collection,' he told AZ Central. The garden uses its cacti and succulents to educate the public about the threats these illegal activities pose to endangered species.
