Desert botanical garden (DBG) will use funds to establish a cryobiorepository and conservation cryobank for endangered cactus and agave species, addressing biodiversity loss and climate impact…

Desert Botanical Garden Inc. received a $432,452 Project Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the Museums for America program (CFDA 45.301), effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. The award funds establishment of a cryobiorepository and conservation cryobank for endangered cactus and agave species to address biodiversity loss and climate change impacts in arid regions. Key deliverables include acquisition of a fusion freezer for cryogenic storage, development and delivery of two workshops on cryobiotechnology and micropropagation, and implementation of standardized protocols for sample collection, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) extraction, and cryopreservation.

The project will produce a secure genetic material repository, increased representation of at-risk cactus and agave species within Desert Botanical Garden's collections, and a trained network of researchers equipped to support conservation efforts. These outputs directly support the Museums for America program's core objectives of collections stewardship and public benefit by safeguarding iconic desert species and enabling their future restoration in threatened ecosystems, while strengthening the scientific community's capacity to conduct plant conservation research.

Desert botanical garden (DBG) will use funds to establish a cryobiorepository and conservation cryobank for endangered cactus and agave species, addressing biodiversity loss and climate impact challenges in arid regions. This project involves acquisition of a cutting-edge fusion freezer for cryogenic storage, development and presentation of two workshops on cryobiotechnology and micropropagation, and implementation of standardized protocols for sample collection, DNA/RNA extraction, and cryopreservation. Expected outcomes include a secure repository of high-value genetic material, increased cactus and agave species representation in DBG collections, and a trained network of researchers. This project will directly benefit the scientific community, conservation institutions, and DBG's broader public audience by safeguarding these iconic desert species and facilitating their future restoration in threatened ecosystems.