Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

New York Botanical Garden @nybg.bsky.social · 9d

Our second season of Plant People—NYBG’s first podcast—is nominated for a Signal Award for the second year in a row! We’re so excited to be nominated in the Sustainability & Environment category, and we need your help to bring home the trophy.

Vote here!

The Signal Listener's Choice Award needs YOU

I just voted for this finalist to win a Signal Listener's Choice Award. You should too.

vote.signalaward.com

1 1 3

New York Botanical Garden @nybg.bsky.social · 12d

We’re launching a new global collaboration: the Global Conservation Consortium for Food Plants. We’re proud to partner with Botanic Gardens Conservation International, U.S. Botanic Garden, @croptrust.bsky.social, and @fao.org to enhance our food security the world over. www.nybg.org/planttalk/gl...

2 12

New York Botanical Garden @nybg.bsky.social · 16d

Welcome to #ClimateWeek2025 at NYBG—where we bring together the community and experts to harness the power of plants for climate solutions.

Climate Week 2025

Join NYBG during Climate Week NYC 2025—where we bring together the community and experts to harness the power of plants for climate solutions.

www.nybg.org

1 4 19

New York Botanical Garden @nybg.bsky.social · Sep 3

This September, join NYBG during #ClimateWeek NYC 2025—where we bring together the community and scientific experts to harness the power of plants for climate solutions. 🌎

Learn more and register for our special events: www.nybg.org/event/climat...

13

New York Botanical Garden @nybg.bsky.social · Sep 2

Associate Curator of the Herbarium Matthew Pace recently described two new species of orchid from Mexico and Guatemala: Goodyera mexitesselata and Goodyera ixcanula. The description of these two new species brings the number of regional species to 12.

New species of Mexican and Central American Goodyera (Orchidaceae) - Brittonia

The Goodyera striata species complex (Orchidaceae) is distributed throughout Mexico and Mesoamerica. During the course of a systematic review of Goodyera from Mexico and Central America, it became app...

link.springer.com

1 12

New York Botanical Garden @nybg.bsky.social · Aug 28

We were proud to have Kenneth R. Otero Walker, Herbarium Project Manager, at the 2025 Conference of the Ecological Society of America (ESA) in Baltimore, Maryland—where he delivered a presentation on “Ethical Considerations of Digitizing Tradition Ecological Knowledge in Biocultural Collections."

Six people pose for a photo outside of a convention center.

1 7

New York Botanical Garden @nybg.bsky.social · Aug 5

At BOTANY 2025, NYBG's Cecilia Zumajo organized the symposium: "Evolutionary history of Gnetales" comprised of 6 talks & 8 speakers. She was joined by her mentee, Ormary Alvarez, who presented her research poster titled "Ovule development in the 'living fossil' Wollemia" 👏🌲 #NYBGscience

1 1 12

Reposted by New York Botanical Garden

Molly Edwards, PhD @science-irl.bsky.social · Aug 5

Sunflowers are full of secrets 🕵️‍♀️🌻 I had a blast making this for @nybg.bsky.social 's Van Gogh's Flowers exhibit, where you can see all the 🌻🌻🌻 shine through Oct. 26th!

#scicomm 🧪 #nationalsunflowerday #botany

4 25 82

New York Botanical Garden @nybg.bsky.social · Aug 5

Learn how decisions to pave over wetlands in the 19th century, paired with climate change, have left us in a pickle when it comes to flooding in NYC.

NYC subway geyser caused by ancient Manhattan stream

The 28th Street station on the 1 line is uniquely vulnerable to flooding.

gothamist.com

2 11

New York Botanical Garden @nybg.bsky.social · Jul 30

Together with Botanic Gardens Conservation International, we've launched a global survey to understand and amplify the role of botanical gardens in ecological restoration. We invite all gardens to participate and help shape future priorities for collective action: www.surveymonkey.com/r/JS6GNMN

A person in a blue plaid shirt gazes up at the sunny green canopy of a forest while walking along a trail

1 11

New York Botanical Garden @nybg.bsky.social · Jul 24

NYBG's Brad Oberle joined @globalmangroves.bsky.social's Science to Policy Webinar on the genetic footprints (eDNA) left in the air, soil, & water by organisms, & how it can be harnessed to improve mangrove biodiversity monitoring 🧬📝 Watch here! --> www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmpA... #NYBGscience 🐟🍄‍🟫🦟

eDNA Biodiversity Monitoring with Dr. Brad Oberle

YouTube video by Global Mangrove Alliance

www.youtube.com

1 5

New York Botanical Garden @nybg.bsky.social · Jul 17

New #scipub by NYBG's Barbara Ambrose, Cecilia Zumajo, & team explores fruit development, revealing shifts in the developmental genetic factors of dehiscence and tissue patterning, suggesting a rewiring between basal and core eudicots 🌱 academic.oup.com/aob/advance-... #NYBGscience 🧬

Dehiscent fruits in Brassicaceae and Papaveraceae: convergent morpho-anatomical features with divergent underlying genetic mechanisms

AbstractBackground and Aims. Dry dehiscent fruits have independently evolved multiple times during angiosperm diversification. A striking example is the co

academic.oup.com

1 1 8

New York Botanical Garden @nybg.bsky.social · Jul 15

In a recent interview with @nytimes.com, NYBG's @evecologist.bsky.social shares how being proactive with invasive species is key to preserving our landscapes. And if you’re a home gardener, it’s not just about reacting to invasives—but making sure you’re not buying them to begin with.

Fighting Invasive Plants: The Ones We’ve Got and Those We Think Are Coming

www.nytimes.com

2 2 9

New York Botanical Garden @nybg.bsky.social · Jul 14

This past week we were thrilled to welcome NYC Public School teens to NYBG's GreenSchool! From jobs in plant science to horticulture and education, we're proud to share the diversity of career possibilities available, and help root them in nature as we work toward a greener future for all.

A group of students in summer clothes and backpacks tour an outdoor garden

6

New York Botanical Garden @nybg.bsky.social · Jul 14

In our final Plant People episode of Season 2, @mauriciodiazgra.bsky.social discusses how engaging with nature through travel makes us more inclined to protect it—and the ways that tourism can actually help our planet. 🌎 www.nybg.org/plantpeople/...

Tall green plants in a mountainous field grow under a cloudy blue sky

1 6

New York Botanical Garden @nybg.bsky.social · Jul 8

In a recent episode of the @pbs.org digital documentary series, Untold Earth, Dr. Rob Naczi, NYBG's Arthur J. Cronquist Curator of North American Botany, was interviewed during a segment on the fascinating world of pitcher plants. Check it out now on the PBS Terra YouTube channel.

Why These Bugs Live Inside Plants That Eat Them

YouTube video by PBS Terra

www.youtube.com

5

New York Botanical Garden @nybg.bsky.social · Jul 7

Hitting the beach this summer? 🌊 Take a closer look at seashells and you might just spot lichens! These resilient organisms thrive in nearly every ecosystem, including on marine life. Check out this example from 1986 in the NYBG Herbarium --> sweetgum.nybg.org/science/the-... 🐚 #NYBGscience

2 7

New York Botanical Garden @nybg.bsky.social · Jul 2

Through the Nurturing Nature Initiative, we're working to unlock the powerful, often underutilized potential of botanical gardens—each a unique institution rooted in place, yet united by shared goals and capacities—to restore ecosystems, support communities, and sustain biodiversity. Learn how.

Nurturing Nature Initiative: Why Botanical Gardens Are Key to Climate Resilience | New York Botanical Garden

In a world where climate change and biodiversity loss increasingly define our collective future, the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) is deepening its commitment to advancing plant-based solutions for...

www.nybg.org

3 12

New York Botanical Garden @nybg.bsky.social · Jun 30

In this week’s Plant People episode, we’re joined by Jacob Suissa, Ph.D., and Ben Goulet-Scott, Ph.D., botanists and founders of Let's Botanize, a nonprofit dedicated to making plant science fun and accessible.

Head through to listen, and don’t forget to rate and subscribe: brnw.ch/21wTMX1

Plant People: Episode 9 | Let's Botanize

In this week's episode, we join the hosts of Let's Botanize to discuss the importance of democratizing botany for a brighter future.

brnw.ch

2 7

New York Botanical Garden @nybg.bsky.social · Jun 27

In June, the Society for Ethnobotany (SEB) held its annual meeting in Prague. Hosted by the Czech University of Life Sciences, 150 ethnobotanists from around the world convened to discuss research. Alex McAlvay was this year’s President of SEB, accompanied by an NYBG delegation. #NYBGscience

6

New York Botanical Garden @nybg.bsky.social · Jun 26

NYBG's Alex McAlvay is in Kenya launching ReMiCS: a project connecting farmers of diverse & nutritious mixed crops with local school meal programs. Jane Parker of Tharaka Nithi farms a 3-variety pearl millet mix, including "bird’s eye"- a bristly plant that deters birds 🐦🌾 #NYBGscience

6

New York Botanical Garden @nybg.bsky.social · Jun 17

We’re proud to announce our NYBG Science Strategy for 2025–2030, outlining a bold vision for advancing botanical research, conservation, and innovation. Built on NYBG's legacy of scientific excellence, it ensures we’re leading the way in addressing pressing environmental and societal challenges.

Announcing the NYBG Science Strategy: An Innovative Vision for the Future of Research and Conservation | New York Botanical Garden

The NYBG Science Strategy is a bold and forward-thinking vision for advancing botanical research, conservation, and innovation through 2030. Executive Summary The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) has...

www.nybg.org

4 12

New York Botanical Garden @nybg.bsky.social · Jun 10

Plant systematics is the study of the diversity of plant groups and all the relationships between them—and @botana-bedoya.bsky.social wades into extreme situations for her studies.

Get to know one of our adventurous NYBG scientists as she shares her passion for discovery.

3 21

New York Botanical Garden @nybg.bsky.social · Jun 9

In the 4th session of 2025 Humanities Conversations, NYBG's Dr. Brad Oberle & Dumbarton Oaks' Dr. Yota Batsaki will discuss urban soil research onsite @NYBG, as well as the use of soil as living media in contemporary art. RSVP to join this free webinar! 🔗 www.nybg.org/event/2025-p... 🖼️🪵 #NYBGscience

2025 Plant Humanities Conversations: Soil Imaginaries | New York Botanical Garden

Plants are the primary ecosystem builders supporting all life on earth and profoundly shaping human societies, from food and medicine to art and culture. Yet 45% of all flowering plants are threatened...

www.nybg.org

4 22

New York Botanical Garden @nybg.bsky.social · Jun 4

There's still time to RSVP for today's 5pm webinar with NYBG Curator Dr. Benjamin Torke: "Insights on Neotropical Plant Diversity from Collaborative Floristic & Systematic Studies," discussing the evolution of Neotropical legumes & Amazonian flora 🌿🌱 #NYBGScience
🔗 www.nybg.org/event/neotro...

Insights on Neotropical Plant Diversity from Collaborative Floristic and Systematic Studies | New York Botanical Garden

Lowland Neotropical rain forests harbor more species of tropical trees in inventory plots than any other biome, but the underlying drivers of this diversity, as well as the historical assembly of the ...

www.nybg.org

4 11