Southeastern Plant Conservation Alliance

The Southeastern Plant Conservation Alliance (SE PCA) is a cross-cutting partnership of public and private conservation professionals working in the Southeastern United States. The SE PCA seeks to bridge gaps between local and national efforts by fostering regional cooperation and promoting a diversity of partners. The Alliance is tailored to multiple interests to provide training opportunities, fill information gaps, identify conservation needs, prioritize efforts, and work collaboratively to conserve imperiled plants. This is achieved by adapting successful models, novel partnerships, and creative solutions to challenges while leveraging shared resources. The SE PCA was informally launched during the 2nd Southeastern Partners in Plant Conservation event in March 2020 and formalized through virtual meetings and planning throughout that year. Conference breakout sessions created a forum to share and build skills for collaboration, communication, fundraising, and volunteers. Small-group skills assessment workshops formed the basis for larger group sessions led by a professional facilitator that sought to identify regional needs and how they can be met by a formal partnership. We were prompted to consider our biggest challenges and what success could look like for such a collaborative network, including solutions to our shared challenges.