5 January 2010
Dear GRC and Selby Supporters and Friends,
It is with great reservation and a degree of sadness that I must inform you of my resignation as Director of the Gesneriad Research Center and Head of Molecular Programs at Selby Gardens. My decision to leave was a difficult one, owing to my long history with Selby and my fondness for its mission and staff. On February 1st, I begin my new position as Senior Plant Ecologist for the Catalina Island Conservancy in California (www.catalinaconservancy.org).
While at Selby and even before, my intention was to advance the mission of the Gardens and The Gesneriad Society, ideally at the same time. The goal was to build institutional capacity at Selby beyond a specific project or even a specific plant group. Rather, research at Selby would be modeled after other successful botanical garden research programs where scholarship through research and graduate-level training fuel continued advancements. With financial backing from members and supporters of The Gesneriad Society and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, we were able to make great headway in this regard. I was able to forge a solid research program at Selby complete with the first ever molecular research laboratory in the Gardens' history.
I also made great advances in establishing collaborative ties with regional and international institutions, ties that would be vital to establishing a graduate-level training program at the Gardens. Also in the vein of collaboration and education, we held the World Gesneriad Research Conference 2010 at Selby Gardens this last October which I had the honor of chairing. One of the greatest highlights of my career to date, WGRC 2010 was a resounding success with excellent participation of scientists, students, and enthusiasts from around the world. We accomplished much over the last two and a half years and I am proud to say that I was a part of it.
Despite my leaving Selby Gardens, I remain a supporter and proponent of Selby as an institution of learning and scholarship. Selby has always had great potential and I am continually amazed at the breadth and quality of research (and botanists) that Selby has produced over the last 35 years. This legacy has never been attached to an individual or even a group of people. It is the product of a founding wisdom and a collective realization that there is something profound tucked away on the Bay in Sarasota. Now more than ever, Selby Gardens needs your support. I encourage all of you to take a more active role in the future of the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
The Gesneriad Society also needs our allegiance. TGS, as much or more so than any other lay plant society, supports research both financially and intellectually. I am a direct product of this support: from my early days curating the Wiehler collections at Selby, to my graduate research involving expeditions around the world, to the GRC and gesneriad research at Selby Gardens, TGS has been there. Please consider what you can do to help keep The Gesneriad Society strong and viable well into the 21st Century. Current and future students of Gesneriaceae are depending on it.
As for me, it is difficult to leave behind the GRC and Selby Gardens, but I am thrilled to embark on this new endeavor with the Conservancy. My role as Senior Plant Ecologist will be multifaceted and allow me the opportunity to utilize my various skills in support of the Conservancy's mission in conservation and sustainability. I also will be continuing my role as a member of the Board of Directors for The Gesneriad Society and will remain the program coordinator for the Gesneriad Conservation Alliance. The next several years promise to be very busy but incredibly rewarding.
I wish to personally thank Selby Gardens, The Gesneriad Society, and all the individuals who have supported me as I have grown as a scientist and researcher. I hope to see many of you often at gesneriad meetings and events as well as scientific conferences and the like. Of course, you are all invited to visit Catalina whenever you want to see firsthand what the next chapter in my life is all about.
Sincerely,
John R. Clark
05 January 2011
05 November 2010
World Gesneriad Research Conference a success
The World Gesneriad Research Conference 2010 (WGRC 2010) was an international meeting of the world’s Gesneriacae researchers, students and lay enthusiasts who came together with the goal of understanding and promoting knowledge of the plant family Gesneriaceae (the African violet family and one of the core group of plants under study at Selby Gardens).
The conference venue (photo by Bruce K. Holst)
The conference was held October 13-15, 2010 at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, FL, USA. Over 70 people from around the world attended WGRC 2010, with registrants from North and South America, Europe, and Asia. Attendees were rewarded with 34 oral presentations by researchers and students, with topics covered including phylogeny and taxonomy, biogeography, floristics, development and reproduction, and education and conservation.
WGRC 2010 Presenters (Photo by Bruce K. Holst)
WGRC 2010 was principally organized by Dr. John R. Clark, Head of Molecular Programs at Selby Gardens and Jeanne Katzenstein, The Gesneriad Society, with a great deal of assistance from Bruce Holst and other Selby Gardens staff and volunteers. The conference has been deemed a complete success, with many attendees commenting on the scope and professionalism of the event.
Fred Barrie, The Field Museum/Missouri Botanical Garden, John R. Clark, Selby Gardens, and Warren L. Wagner, The Smithsonian Institution, enjoying beers at the conference mixer (photo by Bruce K. Holst)
“This is one of the best conferences of this scale that I have ever attended,” Commented Dr. Warren L. Wagner, Head of Botany at the Smithsonian Institution. Dr. Wagner listed the number and caliber of talks as well as the camaraderie between attendees as reasons for this comment. Dr. Peter Schalit, President of The Gesneriad Society stated, “this was by far the best gesneriad event I've ever experienced.”
Paul Susi, Peter Shalit, and Bob Clark, Gesneriad Society Board Members (photo by Bruce K. Holst)
By planning and hosting international meetings, Selby Gardens continues its role as a leader in global botanical research and conservation. Dr. John R. Clark says, “hosting this very successful conference illustrates our ability to not only provide a service to our greater community but also our leadership in scientific research among the global botanical community.”
Thomas Buchter, Selby President and CEO, and Nora Johnson, President, Selby Gardens Board of Trustees at the WGRC 2010 mixer (photo by Bruce K. Holst)
Thomas Buchter, President and CEO of Selby Gardens states, “we are committed to excellence in all that we do at the Gardens and the success of WGRC 2010 demonstrates this well. I hope our supporters and city are as proud of this accomplishment as we are; consider it a prelude of things to come for Selby Gardens and for Sarasota.”
Chirita longgangensis (photo by Dr. Phil Nelson)
10 September 2010
US Postal Service issues a stamp featuring a gesneriad
The United States Postal Service, as part of a 12-year series on the "Nature of America", has issued "Hawaiian Rain Forest" featuring 24 native Hawaiian species of plants and animals. Click the link below to see and read more:
USPS Nature of America: Hawaiian Rain Forest
Among the species featured, a Cyrtandra platyphylla (Gesneriaceae) is prominently displayed near the middle of the sheet.
Here's a link to a few actual photographs of the species, taken by Warren Wagner (Smithsonian):
Cyrtandra platyphylla
Cyrtandra is the largest genus in the Gesneriaceae (~600 species) and is particularly diverse in Hawaii, with 58 recognized species native to this archipelago (Wagner, Clark and Roalson, in prep.).
USPS Nature of America: Hawaiian Rain Forest
Among the species featured, a Cyrtandra platyphylla (Gesneriaceae) is prominently displayed near the middle of the sheet.
Here's a link to a few actual photographs of the species, taken by Warren Wagner (Smithsonian):
Cyrtandra platyphylla
Cyrtandra is the largest genus in the Gesneriaceae (~600 species) and is particularly diverse in Hawaii, with 58 recognized species native to this archipelago (Wagner, Clark and Roalson, in prep.).
27 August 2010
Gesneriads Around the World
"Gesneriads Around the World" is the gesneriad exhibition, show, and sale (October 16 and 17) that will immediately follow the World Gesneriad Research Conference 2010 (October 13-15).
Show time:
Saturday, 16 October, 1:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Sunday, 17 October, 10:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.
All individuals registered for WGRC 2010 will have admission to the show as part of their registration fee.
For individuals and parties interested in attending the flower show, but who are not planning on attending the conference, Selby Gardens has graciously offered two for one admission to the Gardens for those visiting expressly for the show.
To receive the discounted rate, simply download the coupon image below and print it out. Bring the coupon with you for two for one admission (or half price admission for one) on either Saturday, October 16th or Sunday, October 17th, 2010.
The show promises to be a diverse and beautiful collection of the world's gesneriads. There will be both expert growers and gesneriad scientists on hand to answer questions. There will also be plenty of plants for sale so you can start your own collection of gesneriads.
We hope to see you at Selby Gardens for Gesneriads Around the World.
Show time:
Saturday, 16 October, 1:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Sunday, 17 October, 10:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.
All individuals registered for WGRC 2010 will have admission to the show as part of their registration fee.
For individuals and parties interested in attending the flower show, but who are not planning on attending the conference, Selby Gardens has graciously offered two for one admission to the Gardens for those visiting expressly for the show.
To receive the discounted rate, simply download the coupon image below and print it out. Bring the coupon with you for two for one admission (or half price admission for one) on either Saturday, October 16th or Sunday, October 17th, 2010.
The show promises to be a diverse and beautiful collection of the world's gesneriads. There will be both expert growers and gesneriad scientists on hand to answer questions. There will also be plenty of plants for sale so you can start your own collection of gesneriads.
We hope to see you at Selby Gardens for Gesneriads Around the World.
07 July 2010
Call for applications - Hans Wiehler Student Travel Award
We are pleased to announce The Hans Wiehler Student Travel Award to be given to students and/or beginning researchers for attending the World Gesneriad Research Conference 2010 in Sarasota, FL, USA.
This fund has been established to promote participation and community among today's researchers and to foster scholarship in students of the family.
Awards will be issued on a competitive basis.
Application Deadline: 15 August 2010
To apply, send the following materials in a single PDF document to wgrc2010@gmail.com with the attention line: HANS WIEHLER STUDENT TRAVEL AWARD.
1) Include your name, institutional affiliation, all contact information including address, telephone and email.
2) A 500 word or less description of why you should attend WGRC 2010. Be sure to include comments on your education and research goals and how attending WGRC 2010 will help advance these goals. Please sign the letter (and scan to PDF).
3) Your curriculum vitae, not to exceed two US letter size pages (CV's exceeding two pages will not be accepted).
4) Letter of recommendation from your major advisor, signed (scan and include in the single PDF).
Label the file exactly as done in the following example: John R. Clark would label his file Clark_JR_Wiehler_Travel_Fund_2010.pdf (i.e., last name, underscore, first and middle initials - no dots or spaces, underscore, Wiehler_Travel_Fund.pdf).
Applications submitted as multiple documents and/or in a different format (e.g., MS Word document) will not be reviewed with the exception for unavoidable technical limitations (e.g., no access to a scanner or program to assemble the single PDF document). In the latter case, contact the WGRC 2010 Registrar (wgrc2010@gmail.com) well in advance of the deadline to make other arrangements.
Applications exceeding the specified length for description and CV will not be reviewed.
Review of applications will begin immediately after the deadline. Award recipients will be notified as soon as possible to expedite airline and hotel bookings as required. However, funds will not be issued until the conference - students will need to cover these costs in advance.
All applicants will be notified by email of their award status prior to the conference.
Thank you. We look forward to receiving your applications.
The WGRC 2010 Planning Committee
This fund has been established to promote participation and community among today's researchers and to foster scholarship in students of the family.
Awards will be issued on a competitive basis.
Application Deadline: 15 August 2010
To apply, send the following materials in a single PDF document to wgrc2010@gmail.com with the attention line: HANS WIEHLER STUDENT TRAVEL AWARD.
1) Include your name, institutional affiliation, all contact information including address, telephone and email.
2) A 500 word or less description of why you should attend WGRC 2010. Be sure to include comments on your education and research goals and how attending WGRC 2010 will help advance these goals. Please sign the letter (and scan to PDF).
3) Your curriculum vitae, not to exceed two US letter size pages (CV's exceeding two pages will not be accepted).
4) Letter of recommendation from your major advisor, signed (scan and include in the single PDF).
Label the file exactly as done in the following example: John R. Clark would label his file Clark_JR_Wiehler_Travel_Fund_2010.pdf (i.e., last name, underscore, first and middle initials - no dots or spaces, underscore, Wiehler_Travel_Fund.pdf).
Applications submitted as multiple documents and/or in a different format (e.g., MS Word document) will not be reviewed with the exception for unavoidable technical limitations (e.g., no access to a scanner or program to assemble the single PDF document). In the latter case, contact the WGRC 2010 Registrar (wgrc2010@gmail.com) well in advance of the deadline to make other arrangements.
Applications exceeding the specified length for description and CV will not be reviewed.
Review of applications will begin immediately after the deadline. Award recipients will be notified as soon as possible to expedite airline and hotel bookings as required. However, funds will not be issued until the conference - students will need to cover these costs in advance.
All applicants will be notified by email of their award status prior to the conference.
Thank you. We look forward to receiving your applications.
The WGRC 2010 Planning Committee
23 June 2010
Registration Now Open - World Gesneriad Research Conference 2010
On-line Registration for the World Gesneriad Research Conference 2010 is now open. Please click on the link in the right hand column of the GRC blog for more information and to register.
To go to the GRC blog (if you aren't already there): GRC Blog Home
Or go straight to the WGRC 2010 registration site: Register Now!
On the link you will find detailed information on registration, a general schedule, information on hotels, travel, other important considerations, and more.
Registration is easy and takes just a few minutes. All registration is being handled through our on-line provider 123Signup, the same outfit that has been handling The Gesneriad Society Annual Convention for several years now. Those of you familiar with registering for Convention will know exactly what to do. For everyone else, the site is user friendly.
If at any time you have questions concerning the conference, please contact the WGRC 2010 Registrar at wgrc2010@gmail.com.
Looking forward to October!
The WGRC 2010 Planning Committee
To go to the GRC blog (if you aren't already there): GRC Blog Home
Or go straight to the WGRC 2010 registration site: Register Now!
On the link you will find detailed information on registration, a general schedule, information on hotels, travel, other important considerations, and more.
Registration is easy and takes just a few minutes. All registration is being handled through our on-line provider 123Signup, the same outfit that has been handling The Gesneriad Society Annual Convention for several years now. Those of you familiar with registering for Convention will know exactly what to do. For everyone else, the site is user friendly.
If at any time you have questions concerning the conference, please contact the WGRC 2010 Registrar at wgrc2010@gmail.com.
Looking forward to October!
The WGRC 2010 Planning Committee
04 June 2010
REGISTRATION INFORMATION - World Gesneriad Research Conference 2010
GENERAL INFORMATION
The World Gesneriad Research Conference 2010 (WGRC 2010) is an international meeting of the world’s Gesneriaceae researchers, students and lay enthusiasts who come together with the goal of understanding and promoting knowledge of the plant family Gesneriaceae. The next conference will be held at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, FL, USA from 13-15 October 2010 with a gesneriad exhibition 15-17 October. The objectives of WGRC 2010 are to provide opportunities internationally for new researchers and students of Gesneriaceae to enter into discussion groups, formalize existing informal international collaborations and working groups into a virtual organization by initiating a web-based Gesneriaceae coalition, and summarize the current state of knowledge on Gesneriaceae phylogenetics with the ultimate goal of creating a comprehensive Gesneriaceae phylogeny.
SCHEDULE:
Tuesday 12 October: Arrivals, registration, poster set-ups (optional activities may include tours of the gardens, research facilities, collections, local sights, as well as a visit to a private grower's extensive gesneriad collection)
Wednesday 13 October: Registration, conference opening, presentations, and discussions followed by evening mixer
Thursday 14 October: Conference presentations and discussions followed by dinner with keynote speaker
Friday 15 October: Morning summary session and closing remarks (optional afternoon tours and time in the herbarium; optional evening preview of gesneriad flower show; possible departures)
Saturday 16 October: Continuing departures (optional time in herbarium and at gardens and show or local sights)
Sunday 17 October: Continuing departures (optional visit to a private grower's collection or local sights)
Note that all conference activities will be held at Selby Gardens; attire will be casual. Optional activities will be planned based on interest levels and time available of individual attendees based on responses received on the soon-to-be-available registration form.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Formal on-line registration will begin as soon as possible (most likely within the month) and a more detailed daily schedule will be provided along with a listing of the more than 35 presenters and abstracts. However, to aid in planning and budgeting for potential attendees and presenters, the following is a breakdown of registration fees and some preliminary information on travel and accommodations in Sarasota.
Full Registration: US$220: Includes full access to meetings and events, misc. conference materials, coffee/tea breaks, 2 lunches, mixer (Wednesday evening; light food; cash bar), dinner [Thursday evening with cash bar), and printed proceedings (special proceedings issue of Selbyana).
Student Registration: US$150: Letter from major advisor required; includes all of the above except printed proceedings (which can be purchased separately).
Partial Registration Options: Wednesday only (US$65) includes presentations, breaks, lunch, and evening mixer; Thursday only (US$80) includes, talks, breaks, lunch, and dinner with keynote address. (Proceedings not included in individual day registration but can be purchased separately.)
Housing (preliminary): We have identified three options for nearby accommodations (within walking distance or less than a mile from the Gardens): basic, about $US65; mid-range, about $US85; and deluxe, over $US125. The rates indicated are per room for 1-2 people per night and include taxes, but we are negotiating better group rates based on conference registrations. More information will follow.
Travel: Two main regional airports (both international) service the area - Sarasota (SRQ) and Tampa/ St. Petersburg (TPA) which is the larger airport served by more carriers with more frequent flights at better cost. TPA is, however, over an hour-long commute to Sarasota so we are also looking at shuttle, bus, carpool, and car rental options. Additional information will follow.
Student Travel and Participation: We have sponsors for two students at this time and are soliciting more. These sponsorships will be awarded on a competitive basis and will cover basic travel expenses and conference fees. We currently estimate that expenses will range from US$720-US$920 for domestic (in US) student attendance, and US$920-US$1420 for international. More details about student sponsorships will follow. Students are encouraged to apply for other sources of funding and the WGRC Planning Committee will assist in providing letters of support.
We hope this preliminary information will help in planning your attendance at the conference. Specific questions about the conference can be directed to John R. Clark at gesneriadresearch@gmail.com. As noted earlier, online registration and more details will be available soon.
We look forward to seeing everyone in Sarasota this October.
The WGRC 2010 Planning Committee
The World Gesneriad Research Conference 2010 (WGRC 2010) is an international meeting of the world’s Gesneriaceae researchers, students and lay enthusiasts who come together with the goal of understanding and promoting knowledge of the plant family Gesneriaceae. The next conference will be held at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, FL, USA from 13-15 October 2010 with a gesneriad exhibition 15-17 October. The objectives of WGRC 2010 are to provide opportunities internationally for new researchers and students of Gesneriaceae to enter into discussion groups, formalize existing informal international collaborations and working groups into a virtual organization by initiating a web-based Gesneriaceae coalition, and summarize the current state of knowledge on Gesneriaceae phylogenetics with the ultimate goal of creating a comprehensive Gesneriaceae phylogeny.
SCHEDULE:
Tuesday 12 October: Arrivals, registration, poster set-ups (optional activities may include tours of the gardens, research facilities, collections, local sights, as well as a visit to a private grower's extensive gesneriad collection)
Wednesday 13 October: Registration, conference opening, presentations, and discussions followed by evening mixer
Thursday 14 October: Conference presentations and discussions followed by dinner with keynote speaker
Friday 15 October: Morning summary session and closing remarks (optional afternoon tours and time in the herbarium; optional evening preview of gesneriad flower show; possible departures)
Saturday 16 October: Continuing departures (optional time in herbarium and at gardens and show or local sights)
Sunday 17 October: Continuing departures (optional visit to a private grower's collection or local sights)
Note that all conference activities will be held at Selby Gardens; attire will be casual. Optional activities will be planned based on interest levels and time available of individual attendees based on responses received on the soon-to-be-available registration form.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Formal on-line registration will begin as soon as possible (most likely within the month) and a more detailed daily schedule will be provided along with a listing of the more than 35 presenters and abstracts. However, to aid in planning and budgeting for potential attendees and presenters, the following is a breakdown of registration fees and some preliminary information on travel and accommodations in Sarasota.
Full Registration: US$220: Includes full access to meetings and events, misc. conference materials, coffee/tea breaks, 2 lunches, mixer (Wednesday evening; light food; cash bar), dinner [Thursday evening with cash bar), and printed proceedings (special proceedings issue of Selbyana).
Student Registration: US$150: Letter from major advisor required; includes all of the above except printed proceedings (which can be purchased separately).
Partial Registration Options: Wednesday only (US$65) includes presentations, breaks, lunch, and evening mixer; Thursday only (US$80) includes, talks, breaks, lunch, and dinner with keynote address. (Proceedings not included in individual day registration but can be purchased separately.)
Housing (preliminary): We have identified three options for nearby accommodations (within walking distance or less than a mile from the Gardens): basic, about $US65; mid-range, about $US85; and deluxe, over $US125. The rates indicated are per room for 1-2 people per night and include taxes, but we are negotiating better group rates based on conference registrations. More information will follow.
Travel: Two main regional airports (both international) service the area - Sarasota (SRQ) and Tampa/ St. Petersburg (TPA) which is the larger airport served by more carriers with more frequent flights at better cost. TPA is, however, over an hour-long commute to Sarasota so we are also looking at shuttle, bus, carpool, and car rental options. Additional information will follow.
Student Travel and Participation: We have sponsors for two students at this time and are soliciting more. These sponsorships will be awarded on a competitive basis and will cover basic travel expenses and conference fees. We currently estimate that expenses will range from US$720-US$920 for domestic (in US) student attendance, and US$920-US$1420 for international. More details about student sponsorships will follow. Students are encouraged to apply for other sources of funding and the WGRC Planning Committee will assist in providing letters of support.
We hope this preliminary information will help in planning your attendance at the conference. Specific questions about the conference can be directed to John R. Clark at gesneriadresearch@gmail.com. As noted earlier, online registration and more details will be available soon.
We look forward to seeing everyone in Sarasota this October.
The WGRC 2010 Planning Committee
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