BGCI’s International Plant Sentinel Network (IPSN) is running a project on general surveillance of pest and diseases on host species of interest to the UK. In 2020-2021 a successful pilot study took place in several gardens in Australia and New Zealand.

Defra is now funding a 3 year project until April 2024. We are looking for additional botanic gardens to get involved in the surveys which will take place in spring and summer.

Gardens with to following species in their collections are invited to join the project

• Quercus robur/petraea,

• Pinus sylvestris

• Rosa spp.

• Fagus sylvatica

• Picea sitchensis

Please email katherine.o’donnell@bgci.org to get involved and for more information.