Native Plants Summit: Current Status, Conservation, and Outlook for Plants of the Northeast

The northeastern U.S. hosts a rich diversity of native plants, many of which play essential roles for humans and the environment. Alarmingly, a significant number of these species are experiencing a precipitous decline. Many are imperiled as a result, including one-quarter of species native to New York State. Despite these figures, no comprehensive or integrated program exists to study trends across the region.

Through a series of compelling presentations, followed by a panel discussion, this Summit will address the gaps in our knowledge by bringing together experts to present and discuss the state of the area’s plant species, plot the best course forward, and highlight ways in which everyone can make a difference for native plants in the Northeast.

06:25 – Robert Naczi

38:44 – Bernd Blossey

1:04:48– Rebecca Dolan

1:27:57 – Jerry Jenkins

1:51:48 – David Werier

2:13:31 – Donald Leopold

2:36:11 – Mary Klein

3:01:12 – Q&A Panel Discussion



SPEAKER BIOS

Robert Naczi, Ph.D., is a plant systematist whose research focuses on the flora of the eastern United States, the sedges (Cyperaceae), and the Western Hemisphere Pitcher Plants (Sarraceniaceae). Naczi uses a multipronged approach in his research, employing field, herbarium, and laboratory methods. His fieldwork has given him first- hand knowledge of the flora of much of North America.

Bernd Blossey, Ph.D., was born and raised in northern Germany. In 1992 he joined the faculty of Cornell University, where he is currently an Associate Professor directing the Ecology and Management of Invasive Plants Program in the Department of Natural Resources.

Rebecca W. Dolan earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia, both in botany. For 25 years she has been Director of the Friesner Herbarium at Butler University. She is now busy building
an online atlas of Indiana plants and is the author of over 25 scientific articles on restoration ecology, urban botany, and genetics of rare plants.

Jerry Jenkins is a botanist and ecologist from White Creek, New York. He was trained in physics and philosophy, and has 46 years of field experience with northern floras. He works as a scientist for the Wildlife Conservation Society, is the founder and director of the White Creek Field School, and is the director of the Northern Forest Atlas Project.

David Werier is a botanist who has his own consulting business based out of the Ithaca, New York area. His botanical interests focus on understanding the vascular plants of eastern North America (primarily New York State) through fieldwork in conjunction with herbarium and literature research.

Donald J. Leopold earned his Ph.D. in forest ecology from Purdue University in 1984, his M.S.F. in forest ecology from the University of Kentucky in 1981, and B.S. in ornamental horticulture/nursery management from the University of Kentucky in 1978. He is a Distinguished Teaching Professor and Chair in the Department of Environmental and Forest Biology at SUNY-ESF. He has published over 60 journal papers, six books, and many additional publications, all generally about topics in forest and wetland ecology and native plants.

Mary Klein, President and CEO of NatureServe, has been an active proponent for the conservation of species and ecosystems for nearly 30 years. She leads an international network of more than 1,000 conservation professionals who provide the scientific basis for effective conservation action—responding to more than six million information inquiries each year. In this role, she guides the identification, mapping, and analysis of species and ecosystems.