CSU, Chico to Host Botany 2006, Centennial Celebration of the Botanical Society of America
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2006
Joe Wills
530-898-4143
Joe Picard, Regional & Continuing Education
530-898-6105
CSU, Chico to Host Botany 2006, Centennial Celebration of the Botanical Society of America
An anticipated 1,000 scientists and students from around the country will visit Chico next month for Botany 2006, the joint annual meeting of the Botanical Society of America, the American Society of Plant Taxonomists, the American Fern Society and the American Bryological and Lichenological Society.
Botany 2006 has special significance as it will be the 100th anniversary celebration of the Botanical Society of America. The conference will be hosted on the California State University, Chico campus July 28-Aug. 3.
CSU, Chico's Center for Economic Development estimates that lodging, meals and other spending by meeting attendees will mean $711,000 for the local economy.
The meeting will include a full schedule of more than 850 scientific presentations, papers, posters, lectures, symposia and workshops from prominent botanists whose contributions have shaped and advanced the varied fields of plant biology. Also included on the schedule will be a full slate of field trips that will demonstrate the unique botanical nature of Northern California.
The full conference begins July 31 with "The Lessons of History: A Historian Reflects on 100 years of American Botany," a presentation by Vassiliki Betty Smocovitis, professor of zoology and history, University of Florida.
On Aug. 2, Peter Raven, former home secretary of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and president of the Missouri Botanical Garden, and Edward Schneider, Botanical Society president and CEO of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, will host a special awards ceremony to honor more than 100 scientists who have contributed significantly to the advancement of plant biology and the Botanical Society.
The 5th Educational and Outreach Forum, for teachers and professors who teach biology and plant science, will take place July 29-30. The forum will include interactive sessions and a keynote lecture by Indiana University biology professor Roger Hangarter. Hangarter is internationally recognized for his scholarly work and his strong record of public outreach, sharing his passion for plants with community groups, children, teachers and museums throughout the country. His talk is titled "Communicating an Awareness of Plants through Science and Art."
"CSU, Chico is happy to host this important academic conference. For a few days this summer, Chico will be the place to be if you are a botanist. It's a great opportunity for local teachers to meet the researchers in the field, for our professors to network with colleagues, and for Chico to welcome hundreds of guests to our city and the North State," commented Kristina Schierenbeck, herbarium director and professor of biological sciences at CSU, Chico.
CSU, Chico Continuing Education is coordinating the local arrangements for the Botanical Society of America. For more information please visit http://www.2006.botanyconference.org.
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