.....................................................
WELCOME TO THE CROP WILD RELATIVES DISCUSSION GROUP
.....................................................

The CWR Group arose as a result of a small group of people associated with the Bioversity International Crop Wild Relatives Project. The group recognises the importance of CWRs for food security and adaptation of our crops and at the same time the growing threats this group of plants face. Membership now runs at over 300, covering all regions of the world. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in wild relatives of crops.

Members can post to the group by sending an email to: CropWildRelativesGroup@yahoogroups.com

The Wild Relatives group is dedicated to sharing information and discussion of topics and issues related to wild relatives of crops, and other wild plant resources . Crop wild relatives include crop ancestors as well as other species more or less closely related to crops. Wild relatives of crops are a critical source of genes for resistance to diseases, pests and stresses such as drought and extreme temperatures. But wild relatives of crops themselves are threatened by environmental degradation and increasingly climate change. This group is dedicated to supporting the effective conservation and sustainable utilisation of crop wild relatives.

The group will hopefully provide a forum for:

1. Discussion and sharing of technical information on in situ and ex situ conservation of crop wild relatives.
2. Debate on the role of crop wild relatives in crop improvement and sustainable agriculture including issues related to climate change and food security.
3. Suggestions on how to enhance awareness and understanding of crop wild relatives and their important role.
4. Highlighting relevant stories and media topics that involve crop wild relatives.
5. Promoting forthcoming events that address crop wild relatives and reporting on such events when they are completed or in progress