Episode 12: San Diego Botanic Garden Colin Khoury PhD - How Do Botanic Gardens Conserve Biodiversity?

Colin Khoury, PhD is the Senior Director of Science and Conservation at the San Diego Botanic Garden.

Colin was born and raised in the coastal sage scrub and the avocado and citrus orchards of San Diego County. He obtained a Master of Science in plant genetic resource conservation from the University of Birmingham, UK, and a PhD in production ecology and resource conservation from Wageningen University in the Netherlands. He has held science and conservation positions at academic, nonprofit, industry, government, and international organizations across the US and in Italy and Colombia. Colin is thrilled to be back home, working for the conservation and use of plant diversity for people and for the planet.

San Diego Botanic Garden (SDBG) was established in 1907 and is a 37-acre urban oasis located in the city of Encinitas, in north San Diego County. They garden to create, share and apply plant wisdom in our world. The Garden's four miles of trails display more than 5,000 plant species and varieties, including 300 plants for which SDBG is the only garden maintaining a population. SDBG has 15 gardens that represent different regions of the world, 12 demonstration gardens, and the largest public bamboo collection in North America. SDBG has three children's gardens, including its flagship, one-acre Hamilton Children's Garden, the largest kids' garden on the west coast. The Garden works in botany, conservation horticulture, and applied plant sciences to address our biggest local and global issues—from food security and climate change to land management and home gardening.

TOPICS EXPLORED

0:00 – 1:27 – Introduction

1:27 – 3:45 – What is the San Diego Botanic Garden and what type of work does it do?

3:45 – 5:17 – What are some of the things people can see at the San Diego Botanic Garden?

5:17 – 9:56 – Can you tell me a little bit about your background and what sparked your interest in food and agriculture?

9:56 – 14:38 – Can you tell me a little bit about your role as the Senior Director of Science and Conservation at the San Diego Botanic Garden?

14:38 – 19:19 – What role can botanic gardens play in conservating a diverse food and agricultural system?

19:19 – 22:34 – Can you share a bit about native species and how they could incorporate them into their diets and gardens?

22:34 – 26:35 – Can you share a bit about the San Diego Botanic Garden's work with the North American fruit and nut crop wild relative working group?

26:35 – 31:54 – Can you share a bit about San Diego Botanic Garden's conservation gap analysis for wild North American grapes?

31:54 – 36:02 – Can you tell me a little bit more about the plant breeding process and about grafting?

36:02 – 41:19 – How is San Diego Botanic Garden collaborating with international organizations such as the World Vegetable Center and the Global Crop Diversity Trust?

41:19 – 42:56 – Things to share and wrap up

SAN DIEGO BOTANIC GARDEN INFORMATION

San Diego Botanic Garden: https://sdbg.org/

San Diego Botanic Garden Exhibits: https://sdbg.org/exhibitions-public-programs/

San Diego Botanic Garden Project Highlights: https://sdbg.org/science-conservation-projects/

San Diego Botanic Garden Education Resources: https://sdbg.org/educator-school-programs/

San Diego Botanic Garden Community Science Project: https://sdbg.org/budburst/

RESOURCES

American Public Gardens Association: https://www.publicgardens.org/

Botanic Gardens Conservation International: https://www.bgci.org/resources/bgci-databases/

FOOD FOR YOU AND THE PLANET PODCAST INFORMATION

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/food-for-you-and-the-planet/id1739416396

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7pkAIuXxl9dzD48b7qMOL1

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Podcast Instagram: @foodforyouandtheplanet

TAGS

Food

Environment

Health

Podcast

Sustainability

San Diego Botanic Garden

Botanic Garden

Conservation

Biodiversity