Fascination of Plants Day

Start Date: 18th May 2012 8:00am

End Date: 18th May 2012 11:59pm

Fascination with Plants Day is designed to get people enthused about the importance of plant science for agriculture, producing food, making products like paper, timber, chemicals, energy and pharmaceuticals and the role of plants in environmental conservation.

Launched under the umbrella of the European Plant Science Organisation (EPSO), more than 25 countries have already signed up to actively support the event.

EPSO says the day “will plant virtual and constantly germinating seeds in the collective mind of the European and world public, recalling that plant science is of critical significance to the social, environmental and economic landscape, now and in the future”.

Fascination with Plants Day is very relevant for New Zealand which has a long history of using plant science and biological knowledge to develop world-leading capabilities in areas like food production, agricultural technology, animal health and medical technologies.

New Zealand is one of three countries outside Europe to belong to EPSO – the others are Australia and Japan. Among the New Zealand organisations active in EPSO are Crown Research Institutes Scion, Plant and Food Research and AgResearch.

Elspeth MacRae, General Manager Manufacturing and Bioproducts at Scion, says New Zealand’s involvement with EPSO reflects its track record of scientific excellence and the contribution it makes globally to generating leading-edge knowledge in the field of plant science.

“New Zealand membership of EPSO is important in strengthening international connectivity for New Zealand scientists, delivering opportunities for research and commercial collaborations, and supporting EPSO’s efforts to profile the enormous value of plants to society.”

Activities planned for Fascination of Plants Day in participating countries include having scientific institutions, universities, botanical gardens, and museums, together with farmers and companies, open their doors and run plant-based events for toddlers to grandparents.

Planning for a New Zealand programme is underway and organisations or individuals who would like to take part should contact the New Zealand convenor, Lynley Browne, on Lynley@lbrowneassociates.com