Thomas E. Clark, collections and grounds manager of Polly Hill Arboretum, has been selected by the Institute of Museum and Library Services to attend a national forum, Feb. 19 and 20 in San Diego, Calif., called It’s Alive! Petals to Primates: Preservation Challenges of Living Collections.

Mr. Clark is one of more than 50 representatives of small and medium-sized living collection institutions nationwide invited to participate based on their leadership in the profession and in their communities.

The program will explore the range of challenges facing America’s smaller institutions housing collections of plants and animals.

National conservation leaders, government officials, and professionals from zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, nature centers and living history farms will address issues relevant to caring for and sustaining treasured living collections.

Named for the late Polly Hill who created its unusual gardens, the arboretum is located in West Tisbury.