KOREAN NET

Twenty organizations have been selected for the first round of the Global Seed Conservation Grants Program, an international project conducted by the Korea Arboreta and Gardens Institute (KOAGI) and the U.K.-based Botanic Gardens Conservation International. Shown is Baekdudaegan Global Seed Vault in Bonghwa-gun County, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. (KOAGI)

By Lee Dasom

Twenty organizations have been selected for the first round of the Global Seed Conservation (GSC) Grants Program, an international project jointly conducted by the Korea Arboreta and Gardens Institute (KOAGI) and the U.K.-based Botanic Gardens Conservation International.

KOAGI on Sept. 22 said the project aims to secure long-term preservation of plant seeds from around the world that face climate crisis by storing them in duplicate form at Baekdudaegan Global Seed Vault in Bonghwa-gun County, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. Launched this year, the program is funded by IGIS Asset Management.

The institute finalized the selection of 20 organizations based on their plans to collect seeds and systematic management plans, while considering the diversity of plant preservation and the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. A combined 52 organizations applied for the project, which began in May.

Eighteen organizations are taking part in the project: six from Africa, five each from Europe and South America, and one each from Asia and North America.

The first phase of the project will see the seeds stored at the vault by December next year.

dlektha0319@korea.kr