Chicago Botanic Garden

for immediate release

Janet Meakin Poor Research Symposium
Focuses on Global Plant Conservation

World leaders gather at Chicago Botanic Garden, Friday, Oct. 2

 

Media Only:
Julie McCaffrey
(847) 835-8213
jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org

GLENCOE, Ill. (Aug. 14, 2009)—The Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden, in partnership with the Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), presents the Global Plant Conservation Science Outreach Symposium: A Janet Meakin Poor Research Symposium from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, October 2.

In celebration of the opening of the Garden’s Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center, this daylong event will highlight the increasing need for a cooperative international plant conservation effort to better understand the impact of climate change on plants. A summary of plant conservation research, practice, and outreach programs from around the globe will be presented. Sessions will focus on creating partnerships and programs between botanic gardens, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and academic institutions to communicate the urgency of saving the world’s plants.

Internationally recognized experts discuss global strategies for plant conservation through science and education. Speakers include:

  • Professor Stephen Blackmore, Regius Keeper, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, Scotland, discusses gardening as a metaphor for securing a habitable planet for future generations.
  • Dr. David Bramwell, Director, Jardin Botanico Canario Viera y Clavijo, Canary Islands, Spain, discusses how to mitigate and adapt to climate change for tropical species threatened by climate upheaval.
  • Stella Simiyu, BGCI Global Strategy for Plant Conservation Officer, Nairobi, Kenya. Ms. Simiyu works to support BGCI’s implementation of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation. Formerly a research scientist with the National Museums of Kenya, she works in plant conservation, policy, capacity building and networking.
  • Peggy Olwell, Plant Conservation Program Manager, Bureau of Land Management and Chair, Plant Conservation Alliance, Washington, D.C ., discusses the complex issues resulting from climate change that land managers are facing.
  • Anne Raver, Environmental Writer, New York Times, discusses key ingredients for successful communications between scientists and reporters.
  • Dr. Christine Flanagan, Public Programs Manager, U.S. Botanic Garden, Washington, D.C., discusses education and outreach programs.
  • The last session of the symposium is a panel discussion entitled “Where Do We Go From Here?” Panelists include, Sara Oldfield, secretary general of BGCI, symposium speakers, and others involved in plant conservation in the Midwest, the United States, and around the world.

The evening reception address will be given by Baroness Joan Walmsley, chair of BGCI. Other activities include refreshments, a poster session, tours of the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center (including the lab areas) and a book signing with Professor Stephen Blackmore.

Hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, October 2. Early registration is $79. After August 28, cost is $119. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $79. Registration deadline is September 25. Registration includes morning coffee, lunch, parking, and all symposium handouts. To register for the symposium or to request a brochure call (847) 835-8261, or visit the Garden’s website at www.chicagobotanic.org/symposia.

The Janet Meakin Poor Research Symposium is partially endowed by the friends of Janet Meakin Poor, a Chicago-area conservationist and landscape designer dedicated to preserving natural habitats. The Center for Humans and Nature is sponsoring a limited number of scholarships available to students.

###

Editors, please note: The Chicago Botanic Garden's newsroom is online at www.chicagobotanic.org/pr. For digital images, contact Julie McCaffrey at (847) 835-8213 or at jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org.

The Chicago Botanic Garden, one of the green treasures of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, is a 385-acre living plant museum featuring 23 distinct display gardens surrounded by lakes, as well as a prairie and woodlands. With events, programs and activities for all ages, the Garden is open every day of the year. Admission is free; select event fees apply. Parking is $20 per car; free for Garden members. The Garden is located at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, Ill. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org, or call (847) 835-5440 for seasonal hours, images of the Garden and commuter transportation information.
 
The Chicago Botanic Garden is managed by the Chicago Horticultural Society. It opened to the public in 1972 and is home to the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden, offering a broad array of adult classes in plant science, landscape design and gardening arts. Through the Division of Plant Science and Conservation, Garden scientists work on plant conservation, research and environmental initiatives that have global impact. The Center for Teaching and Learning brings the wonder of nature and plants to children, teens and teachers. The Garden's Horticultural Therapy and Community Gardening programs provide nationally recognized community outreach and service programs. A program of the Chicago Botanic Garden, Windy City Harvest is an organic vegetable and plant production enterprise that provides instruction in sustainable horticulture and urban agriculture to residents of Chicago’s North Lawndale and West Side neighborhoods.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a member of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA). The Chicago Botanic Garden is also host to Botanic Gardens Conservation International-U.S., and a member of the Center for Plant Conservation. In 2006, the Chicago Botanic Garden received the Award for Garden Excellence, given yearly by the APGA and Horticulture magazine to a public garden that exemplifies the highest standards of horticultural practices and has shown a commitment to supporting and demonstrating best gardening practices.