This year, the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and the Sea, through Faial Botanical Garden, has increased the number of seed stored in the Azores Seed Bank by 82%.

A seed bank is an "ex-situ" plant conservation method (outside natural habitat); seeds are preserved by being dried at low temperatures, which ensures their viability for long periods of time. This is one of the methods with the highest success rates. One must take into account that almost a quarter of the world's plant species are in danger of extinction and, therefore, it is necessary to preserve them in order to ensure the conservation of the genetic variability of endangered populations. We will be able to ensure the survival of species by storing the largest number possible of plant seeds in viable stocks that are protected from various threats: fires, floods, deforestation, invasive species, climate change and urban sprawl.

The preparation of the harvest season includes the provision of training for technicians with the aim of preparing them to the harvest of seeds in the archipelago that annually occurs between June and November. Currently, 41 Azorean endemic species are stored in the Azores Seed Bank.