CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) --The Chicago Botanic Gardens work to keep plants from going extinct is getting a boost thanks to the largest single donation in its more than 50 year history.
The garden in Glencoe plans to use $21 million from the Negaunee Foundation to continue its conservation work.
Chief Scientist Kay Havens said that will take several forms - including adding to its pollen and seed bank collections.
"These are ways to conserve plants long-term as a kind of insurance policy against extinction or loss in the wild," she explained. "And the hope is we can address the threats that drove them extinction into the wild and get those plants back where they belong."
There will also be more research into the lineage of plants to make sure there's no inbreeding, like zoos do with their animals.
Some of the endowment will also go to internships to help train the next generation of land managers and botanists.
"This is to address a shortage of people who are well-trained to go into these positions as we face a wave of retirement."
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