The charitable work of the RHS is vital to the protection of plants, gardens and green spaces for future generations. The RHS helps over two million school children get into gardening. Supports more than 1,700 communities to get together and garden, and encourages people to grow their own food.

The charity also promotes horticulture through a series of world renowned flowers shows such as the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, RHS Tatton Park Flower Show and RHS Cardiff Flower Show. The shows exhibit the best in horticulture through avant-garde show gardens, stunning floral marquees and expert advice.

Encourage the propagation and conservation of cultivated plants in the British Isles; encourage and conduct research into cultivated plants, their origins, their historical and cultural importance and their environments; and encourage the education of the public in cultivated plant conservation. Through its membership and the National Collection Holders, the NCCPG seeks to rediscover and reintroduce cultivated plants by encouraging their propagation and distribution so that they are grown as widely as possible. The NCCPG works closely with other conservation bodies as well as botanic gardens, The National Trust, The National Trust for Scotland, English Heritage, The Royal Horticultural Society and many specialist horticultural societies.

Why conserve plants?

British growers have a long history of collecting plant material from the wild and hybridising. In decades past, small independent growers would compile catalogues containing literally hundreds of garden plants. Sadly, many of these are now lost for ever. And since many growers never recorded their work, we have also lost vital knowledge; a tantalising slice of social, cultural and horticultural history has simply died with them.

Why does this matter?
The loss of our garden plants is a loss on many levels.

Historical
Garden plants are inextricably bound up with our cultural and social history. The cottage garden, the allotment, the clipped formality of the stately home have been founded on 'old-fashioned' varieties such as old pinks, florists' violas, tulips, Malmaison carnations, auriculas, lilacs and phlox.

Horticultural
Besides conserving these treasures for their own value, it is vital to retain the old 'blood stock' in order to cultivate new varieties; for example, to breed in a particular colour, scent or disease resistance.

Pharmaceutical
We are still discovering the unique medical and chemical properties of certain plants.

Many more may have healing properties which have yet to be revealed, which makes it even more important to preserve these precious natural resources.

What can be done about it?
The NCCPG National Plant Collections^® Scheme holds the key to these problems.

There are 450 National Collection holders in Britain, responsible for 650 National Plant Collections. Each collection is a 'living plant library' dedicated to a specific genus, be it roses, cotoneasters or hydrangea. The holders collect plants, grow them, propagate them and make them available to the public, research the plants' history, record the plants' details, and make their knowledge available to the wider public.

With 791,000 members, they are the largest UK voluntary organisation dedicated to conserving the full range of the UK’s habitats and species, whether they be in the countryside, in cities or at sea. 150,000 of our members belong to their junior branch, Wildlife Watch. They manage 2,256 nature reserves covering more than 90,000 hectares; we stand up for wildlife; we inspire people about the natural world and we foster sustainable living.

All 47 Wildlife Trusts are members of the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT) which also operates a separate Grants Unit administering major funds on behalf of the Big Lottery Fund and the Landfill Communities Fund. For more information on the grants unit visit www.rswt.org.

The VISION of The Wildlife Trusts is 
“an environment rich in wildlife for everyone”

The MISSION of The Wildlife Trusts is to 
“rebuild biodiversity and engage people with their environment”

Their OBJECTIVES are:
To stand up for wildlife and the environment
To create and enhance wildlife havens
To inspire people about the natural world
To foster sustainable living

The National Trust was founded in 1895 by three Victorian philanthropists - Miss Octavia Hill, Sir Robert Hunter and Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley. Concerned about the impact of uncontrolled development and industrialisation, they set up the Trust to act as a guardian for the nation in the acquisition and protection of threatened coastline, countryside and buildings.

We are also committed to the conservation of moths, which are close relatives of butterflies and are in rapid decline. Butterflies are beautiful and intrinsically valuable. Together with moths, their sensitivity to environmental change makes them valuable indicators of the health of the countryside. We have more than 12,000 members and 31 volunteer Branches throughout the British Isles.

The need for an effective bird conservation organisation has never been greater. Climate change, agricultural intensification, expansion of urban areas and transport infrastructure, and over-exploitation of our seas all pose major threats to birds. ''The RSPB could not exist without its supporters and members. Whether you join us, give a donation, purchase items from us or undertake voluntary work, your support is vital to the future of birds and the places where they live''.

BCT works on a number of levels to create a better world for bats. We run a range of different projects and initiatives. The breadth and depth of our work is driven by our passion for bats, and our vision of bats and people living in harmony.

BCT achieves a great deal with limited resources. This would not be possible without the dedication and enthusiasm of almost 5,000 members, and the sheer volume of conservation work carried out by local bat groups and volunteers across the UK.

The HGF campaigns for the protection and appreciation of historic parks and gardens, whether they were created for the benefit of aristocrats and princes, merchants and bankers, or ordinary men and women.

One way it does this is by awarding prizes to encourage good practice in garden restoration. But its voice is heard most clearly through Historic Gardens Review, the HGF’s acclaimed magazine.