It’s been an odd week. I don’t aim to discuss politics here for all sorts of reasons, one being that people might want a break from it for their mental health. It’s difficult when a prominent politician decides to target science as an enemy, as we’re pro-science here. It’s been demonstrated that employing the best rather than the whitest scientists produces better results.
From the outside, it looks like most universities are private or state institutions in the USA, so they don’t have to follow Federal directives on DEI for non-federal projects. So for now, USA jobs will only be included in the careers section, if I see a commitment to equality in the advert.
I’ve seen some objections to this reasoning. Musk now has control of the Treasury, so universities may feel compelled to accede his demands. This may be the case, but no one outside the USA needs to normalise this attack on science, and if an employer feels it’s not safe to uphold equality, then it’s probably not a safe employer and I shouldn’t be posting their adverts.
Next week I expect to be away, as a relative will be in hospital. I will try to have something come out for Monday, but this may not be possible, so you may have to wait another week for another email of the papers you’re sharing on Mastodon, Bluesky, and Twitter. Until next time, take care.
Alun (webmaster@botany.one)
On Botany One
Drones and AI: The New Age of Cotton Production
Researchers develop innovative techniques to track plant aging.
#InBrief
- How Amazon Trees Marched to the Atlantic Forest
- The Love Lies and Sweet Rewards of Australian Orchids
- Botanic Gardens Have Little Room To Grow
- Tree Gene Supercharges Plant Growth in Changing Light
- How Trees’ Responses to Rainfall Frequency Could Help Improve Climate Models
- #WhoIsABotanist?
- An Anonymous Botanist has Poisoned a Herbarium in New York in an Unusual Way
BSA Public Policy Award
This award covers registration expenses for two early-career botanists to attend the Congressional Advocacy Event, held April 28-30, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Congressional Visits Day is an annual event hosted by the Biological and Ecological Sciences Coalition. Recipients obtain first-hand experience at the interface of science and public policy.
The first day includes policy and communications training provided by the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS), focusing on the legislative process and trends in federal funding for science, and how to effectively communicate with policymakers. Participants will meet with their Congressional policymakers, during which they will advocate for federal support of scientific research.
News & Views
Botanic Gardens must team up to save wild plants from extinction
The world’s botanic gardens must pull together to protect global plant biodiversity in the face of the extinction crisis, amid restrictions on wild-collecting, say researchers.
The Mysterious World of Bull Kelp
Exploring the kelp forests of the North Pacific Coast.
@stillhopejw.bsky.social
Rare and Stinky ‘Corpse Flower’ Blooms Draw Thousands of Visitors to Gardens in New York and Sydney
People lined up to see—and smell—the blossoms of two pungent plant species, which only bloom for a short time every few years.
