The Swiss Commission for Wild Plant Conservation CPS/SKEW and the Swiss Commission for Cultivated Plant Conservation CPC/SKEK were founded in 1991 on the initiative of Dr. G. Kleijer (Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil ACW, Swiss Federal Research Station for Agriculture).

The principle aim of the CPS/SKEW is to promote protection of the diversity of Swiss Flora.

The CPS/SKEW is a scientific commission of the Swiss Botanical Society and Prof. Dr. A. Gigon (ETHZ, Zurich) currently holds the chair. Dr. Catherine Lambelet (Botanical Garden Geneva) is vice-president. Its members are representatives from Botanical Gardens, University Institutes, Cantonal Offices for Nature Conservation, the Federal Office for the Environment FOEN, Pro Natura (NGO) and various Swiss Federal Research Stations.

The Commission's secretariat is located at the ACW in Nyon (VD) and is administrated by Sibylla Rometsch (biologist UNIL). Saskia Godat (biologist UNIL) is her collaborator. The secretariat is mainly financed by the FOEN. The central task of the secretariat is coordinating activities for plant conservation in Switzerland. For this purpose it collaborates with all the institutions and persons involved in the conservation of wild plants.