For the first time since 1978, the Canadian Botanical Association-L’ Botanique du Canada is bringing its national annual meeting and conference back to Newfoundland and Labrador.

From June 10-14, Memorial University will host the association’s 61st gathering under the theme Botany on the Rock for Conservation and Sustainability, which will highlight the province’s unique plant life and leading botanical research from across the country.

“Bringing the conference to Memorial after 47 years is a sign that our research in botany is strong across our campuses and our Botanical Garden,” said Julissa Roncal, professor in the Faculty of Science's Department of Biology, curator of the Agnes Marion Ayre Herbarium and chair of the local Canadian Botanical Association organizing committee. “This meeting offers a unique opportunity for our scientists, students and the general public to interact and collaborate with other plant-focused people from across the country.”

The event is expected to draw more than 100 participants, including professors, students, researchers and naturalists, and will offer a program of lectures, poster presentations and field trips and a special botanical art exhibition.

Public talks

Memorial University’s own Dr. Yolanda Wiersma will give the Weresub Lecture on Tuesday, June 10, titled Nothing Rotten! Finding Inspiration in Fungi. Dr. Wiersma will discuss many aspects of the fungal kingdom, illustrating what fungi contribute to ecology as well as to a sense of wonder and inspiration.

On Wednesday, June 11, Susan Meades from the Great Lakes Forestry Centre will deliver the public talk, Vegetation and Flora of Newfoundland, providing a deep dive into the province’s unique and lesser-known habitats and rare species that occur on the Island of Newfoundland.

On Friday, June 13,  Dr. Warren Cardinal-McTeague from the University of British Columbia, will deliver the plenary talk, Indigenous Leadership in Science: Going Beyond Inclusion, which will explore how Indigenous knowledges and perspectives can improve our understanding of botanical research and our capacity to reach conservation and sustainability goals.

Prominent scholars in the fields of ecology, development, systematics, teaching and mycology Dr. Carissa Brown, Memorial University; Dr. Danve Castroverde, Wilfrid Laurier University; Dr. Laura Super, University of British Columbia; Dr. Edeline Gagnon, University of Guelph; and Dr. Toby Spribille, University of Alberta, will lead a general symposium.

Exploring botanical beauty

In true botanical spirit, the conference will include immersive excursions into some of the Avalon Peninsula’s most ecologically rich areas, including Cape Spear, Memorial University Botanical Garden, the Agnes Marion Ayre Herbarium and the Hawke Hills Ecological Reserve.

Complementing the scientific focus is a unique art exhibition hosted by the Archives and Special Collections team at the Queen Elizabeth II Library.

Set for Friday, June 13, the exhibit will include botanical illustrations, archival maps and rare documents, showcasing the province’s deep-rooted botanical history.

On display will be original works by notable figures like Agnes Marion Ayre, the namesake of Memorial’s herbarium and a pioneering botanical illustrator and suffragist. She also designed the conference logo, which features the pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea), Newfoundland and Labrador’s provincial flower.

Pieces by undiscovered amateur botanists such as Blanche Browne, along with contributions from Botanical Art Society of Newfoundland and Labrador members, will also be exhibited.

More information about the conference, the event schedule and registration details are available through the Canadian Botanical Association.

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Dr. Julissa Roncal is available for an interview. For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact Nicole Squires, communications advisor, Faculty of Science, Memorial University, at n.squires@mun.ca or (709) 864-2019.