Field Trip Summary
With close to a million accessions, the USDA Agricultural Research Service’s National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation (NLGRP) in Fort Collins, Colorado, conserves the world’s largest collection of plant and microbial genetic resources. Included is a growing collection of more than 23,000 native seed accessions collected for preservation and for use in ecosystem restoration.
NLGRP plant research delivers improved technologies for preserving biological diversity and assessing and maintaining the quality of plant reproductive material. NLGRP staff will provide participants in this tour with an overview of the Laboratory’s overall mission to conserve materials and provide samples for research and development. Small groups will then rotate through the laboratory to meet staff who will describe procedures for the evaluation and maintenance of collections, tour the storage facilities and learn about storage techniques, and discuss ongoing research studies.
Logistics and agenda
The tour will depart from the Hyatt Regency Convention Center at 8 am. Morning snacks and water will be provided (bring your own water bottle). Box lunches will be available in the conference room following the tour. The bus will return to the Convention Center by 2:00 pm.
Date: 30 September 2025
Time:
8:00 AM – Travel from hotel to the NLGRP
9:30 AM – Enter conference room
9:45 AM – Welcome and orientation
10:07 AM – Break into three groups
10:15 AM – Rotate groups through:
Seed evaluation and maintenance
Seed storage/vaults
Research
11:15 – Lunch in conference room
12:15 Load bus
12:30 Return to the Hyatt Regency
Duration: 4h30 (Single Day)
Capacity: 30
Price (in USD): $230
Handicapped Accessible: Yes