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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Dear Plant Conservation
Allies:</SPAN><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></P>
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face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Thank you for a great meeting in St.
Louis last week. I enjoyed meeting many of you and learning about this
alliance we're all part of. Many thanks to the people from the Center for
Plant Conservation for organizing and hosting the event. I would like to
share a few of my impressions from the meeting, and invite discussion.
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
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face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">My overriding impression is that PCA
represents an opportunity. PCA is about a coordinated national
approach to plant conservation, yet it appears that the majority of PCA
cooperators go about their work independently, without reference to or awareness
of the national framework represented by the PCA. </SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
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face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">PCA is exceptionally well poised to
be an effective force, with very significant building blocks already in
place:</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>- the National Framework for Progress,
with clearly identified strategies and goals, and 240+ non-governmental
signatories </SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>- the Federal Native Plant Conservation
MOU, with 10 federal agency signatories </SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>- One paid staff
position</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
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face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">What does PCA require? <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In my opinion, the development of a
community.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>PCA does not have a
strong identity that its cooperators associate with. While we all believe
in and support the objectives of PCA, PCA itself does not figure prominently or
explicitly in the work we do. Cooperators are effectively working towards
the goals outlined in the PCA Framework, but without awareness of the greater
context in which our work is happening.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">It appears that forging a stronger
Alliance offers two principal benefits:</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> (1) more effective,
synergistic conservation work</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> and</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> (2) a strong voice that can be
a powerful advocate for native plants and plant conservation. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">I heard excellent suggestions for
building the profile of PCA and developing into an organization that members
identify with, think of, and contribute to. Among the suggestions were
more frequent communications (list-serv, publications), workshops and
meetings (annually), and recognition of cooperators with awards.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Finally, it occurs to me that the
greatest threat to the success of PCA is inactivity. The meeting in St.
Louis has provided an infusion of energy into PCA; it is now our responsibility
to carry it forward, if we find it worthwhile.</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><!-- Converted from text/rtf format -->~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~
<BR>Rob Fiegener <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Native Seed Network
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Institute for Applied
Ecology<BR>541.753.3099<BR><A
href="mailto:rob@nativeseednetwork.org">rob@nativeseednetwork.org</A> <BR><A
href="http://www.nativeseednetwork.org/">www.nativeseednetwork.org</A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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