New plant and tree species are being discovered and going extinct each year around the world. Today, nearly 40% of tree species on Earth are at risk of extinction. Joining in the effort to document and preserve biodiversity, the Linda Hall Library is proud to host one of the world’s leading horticulture and ecology researchers to give a free lecture on April 24.
In his presentation, Tales from the Plant Explorer: Collecting Plants for Conservation and the Pursuit of Knowledge,” Harvard University’s Dr. Michael Dosmann shares examples from his own expeditions in Asia and North America to show the evolution of plant discovery and preservation throughout history, exploring research practices, global change, rare species preservation and the continued development of improved garden plants.
“Dr. Dosmann will give a firsthand look into the extraordinary work being done to preserve threatened tree species,” said Eric Ward, Vice President of Programs and Education at the Linda Hall Library, “attendees will leave with a renewed appreciation for the global effort to protect our fragile biodiversity.”
Linda Hall Library is home to its own arboretum with more than 300 trees on the 14-acre property, representing 48 genera, 130 species, 16 champion trees, and its renowned tree peonies. For more than 70 years, the urban arboretum has been managed as a living collection, serving as a green space for the community and outdoor classroom environmental sustainability.
Dr. Michael Dosmann is the Keeper of the Living Collections at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, a 281-acre preserve and public park in the heart of Boston that is home to one of the world’s most comprehensive and best-documented collections of temperate woody plants, from eastern North America and eastern Asia.
As a scholar, Dr. Dosmann researches the intersection of the exploration, conservation and horticultural improvement of woody plants. He is a contributing writer for the Arboretum’s magazine, Arnoldia and frequently guest lectures on similar topics. Dr. Dosmann is the recipient of the David Fairchild Medal for Plant Exploration, an Honorary Member of the Garden Club of America and a past Director-at-Large of the American Public Gardens Association.
Tales from the Plant Explorer: Collecting Plants for Conservation and the Pursuit of Knowledge is free and open to the public, though preregistration is required. A virtual live stream is also free and available for registration. The program takes place from 7 PM to 8 PM on April 24 at the Linda Hall Library, located at 5109 Cherry Street in Kansas City, Missouri.
