Objective: Strengthen capacity to conserve species, populations, and genetic diversity in natural habitats

1. 
   Fill major gaps in the protection of plant genetic resources:
   

Over the past 25 years, major advances have been made in the conservation of gene pools of globally important crops. But, comparatively, forest trees, medicinal plants, ornamentals, and so-called minor crops of local or regional importance have been neglected.

2. 
   Develop the world's botanic gardens as a major off-site network for conserving wild plant resources:
   

Together, the world's 1500 botanic gardens, arboreta, and national plant collections maintain the largest array of plant diversity outside of nature, and they have major, if often overlooked, potential as resource centers for conservation, education, and development. If the infrastructure and technical facilities of most of these institutions can be strengthened, they could conserve ex situ stocks of most of the world's endangered plant species. Already, individuals of an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 threatened species are being cultivated in botanic gardens and arboreta. A strategy for improving the conservation role of botanic gardens was developed by the Botanic Gardens Conservation Secretariat (BGCS) in 1989.The BGCS, established by IUCN in 1987 and recently renamed Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), links nearly 400 botanic gardens committed to conservation(IUCN, WWF. 1989).

3. 
   Integrated approaches to biodiversity conservation:
   

Because a wide range of actions may be needed requires careful planning and close integration with regional conservation and development plans. Often, saving a species means taking action in many different ecosystems and intervening in various land uses.