I am a college lecturer and tutor in plant biology at Somerville College, Oxford. From 1988 to 2014 I was director of the University of Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum. My Fellowship to China in 1993 was to meet directors of other botanic gardens and make links to further the conservation of endangered plant species in botanic gardens and arboreta.

China has been at the forefront of ex situ conservation of threatened species and has one of the best organised systems in the world. This knowledge regularly and frequently appears in lectures I deliver.

The Botanic Garden in Oxford was actively involved in conservation of native species in their habitats, including woodlands and meadow restoration, and propagation of endangered species prior to establishing translocated populations. In addition it was involved in the ex situ conservation of non-native species.

We have learnt a lot from the Chinese model for conservation of plants in botanic gardens and as a result of my travel to China I have a great respect for the Chinese people and culture.