**4. Conclusions and recommendations**

The *Bothriocline auriculata* species is endemic along the slopes of Mount Elgon The species has a limited ecological range despite its native ecosystem being at stake because of massive deforestation, arable farming and climate change. As a result, the *Bothriocline auriculata* species are among the critically endangered species and are currently threatened with extinction.

In this project, a few species specimens were rescued from their fragile native ecosystem and multiplied into massive juvenile quality (fast-growing and disease-free) seedlings that are genetically identical to the parent *Bothriocline auriculata* species. The species seedling exhibited a faster growth rate when subjected to artificial lighting and soil media under aseptic conditions in a screen house.

The most important lesson we learnt was that, in searching for any critically endangered plant species, the involvement of local farming communities and leadership is very important and should never be underestimated. Future efforts should be directed toward building capacity for a robust and sustainable supply of quality seedlings for the *Bothriocline auriculata* species in Uganda and beyond. If so, the seedlings should be supplied to local actors (farmers, conservationists and forestry bodies) for it to be streamlined, and included in the ongoing species conservation and restoration programs. Future programs should also be directed toward building the capacity of the local actors in conservation and adaptive management of the *Bothriocline auriculata* species to ensure full species recovery and restoration.
