In this week's episode of #PlantPeople, we're diving into the story of the pawpaw, a fruit native to the United States that was long a staple in Indigenous diets—yet you may never have heard of it! 🍈
As we celebrate Earth Month, check out some of the work we do—all year round—to restore forests, support native plants, protect the Bronx River Watershed, and protect biodiversity the entire world over. Learn more about events on-site and online this April!
In our latest episode of #PlantPeople, listen in as we talk all things pitcher plants—the carnivorous botanical oddities that leave cunning traps for insects. While they may seem exotic, you can even find a native species growing here in New York!
Organized by the Bronx River Alliance, this year’s Bronx River Assembly at NYBG brought together organizations, representatives, councilmembers, and experts across a variety of fields for a recap of the past year’s challenges and successes—and a look forward at what’s to come for the watershed.
Coming April 14, the @letsbotanize.bsky.social team—Ben Goulet-Scott and Jacob S. Suissa—return to the Garden for a talk about their new book, "Let's Botanize: 101 Ways to Connect with Plants."
Get registered for the talk, as well as their special afternoon workshop!
In this week’s episode of #PlantPeople, we discuss the ghost orchid, the passion and obsession it inspires, and the ways conservationists like Dr. Melissa Abdo are pushing for its protection under the Endangered Species Act.
Preservation biases and assumptions about Indigenous land-use histories have often led to misinterpretations of historical landscapes. In an article co-authored by NYBG's @alexmcalvay.bsky.social, see how new studies indicate the remnants of forest garden ecosystems—and may help identify more sites.
NYBG's Dennis Stevenson and Barbara Ambrose joined Elissa Sorojsrisom to co-author a recently published Coulter Review entitled "Patterning and Evolution of Land Gametangia" in the International Journal of Plant Sciences.
Learn more: www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...
In this week’s episode of #PlantPeople, we join Michael Goergen of The American Chestnut Foundation to discuss the tragic history—and hopeful future—of one of North America’s most iconic trees. 🌰🍃
Listen to our latest podcast episode and learn more.
An arrangement of photos of green tropical plants, along with their leaves and fruits, showing differences between the various samples.
NYBG's Dr. Gregory Plunkett co-authored a recent study that examined the anatomy of Sciodaphyllum herzogii from Bolivia, demonstrating that samples from 2 sets of populations differ in leaf anatomy—providing evidence that they represent separate species.
Learn more: drive.google.com/file/d/1pBn3...
Check out a new article in @nature.com co-authored by @mauriciodiazgra.bsky.social, NYBG's Chief Science Officer and Dean of Science, outlining a vision for a globally integrated, community-governed data ecosystem for living plant collections. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Matthew Pace, Associate Curator of the William and Lynda Steere Herbarium, was part of a team of orchid researchers who published a new paper focusing on the evolution of the leafless mycoheterotrophic orchid Stereosandra from Asia, the first genetic data ever produced for the genus.
Shelf-shaped brown fungi growing on a snowy log
On this week’s episode of #PlantPeople, we check in with mycologist and author Eugenia Bone to discuss our friends the fungi—the not-quite-plant, not-quite-animal lifeforms that not only benefit the planet, but our own health as humans. 🍄🟫
Listen in and learn more! www.nybg.org/plantpeople/...
An aerial photo of a green, forested city landscape with a white conservatory visible
Thanks to the leadership of @schumer.senate.gov and @ritchietorres.bsky.social, we’re delighted that NYBG was awarded a $750,000 @noaa.gov grant advancing Nature Your City: NYBG Climate Research and Public Education.
Learn more about our research in urban conservation: www.nybg.org/plant-resear...
NYBG is happy to introduce Layers of the Past: A New Way to Explore NYC’s History. Trace the city's transformations and see New York through time!
Learn more: www.layersofthepast.org
A close-up photo of green moss alongside a small leaf
A person with long gray hair and blue earrings poses for a photo outdoors
Check out our new episode of #PlantPeople, where author and botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer and host Jennifer Bernstein, NYBG CEO & President, explore the things ancient plantlife like moss can teach us about surviving and truly thriving as people: www.nybg.org/plantpeople/...
From the tallest chestnut trees to the strangest pitcher plants, the botanical world is FULL of fascinating stories. And for our third season on Plant People, we’re doing a deep dive on a different plant each episode. 🎧🌿
Tune in every other week starting February 2. www.nybg.org/plantpeople
NYBG's @mauriciodiazgra.bsky.social and Colin Khoury were co-authors of a new Nature Plants Perspective that outlines a vision for a globally integrated, community-governed data ecosystem for living plant collections.
Learn more: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
From discovering all-new species to digitizing tens of thousands of new plant specimens, participating in climate and biodiversity conferences around the world, and launching an all-new Science Strategy, 2025 was a busy year for plant science at NYBG!
Learn more: www.nybg.org/planttalk/ny...
A person with short, dark hair, wearing a blue button-up shirt, poses for a photo with green foliage visible in the background
It’s our pleasure to announce that Todd Forrest, NYBG’s Arthur Ross Vice President for Horticulture and Living Collections, has been honored with The Garden Club of America's 2026 Medal of Honor.
Please join us in congratulating Todd on this well-earned recognition!
Gregory Plunkett and former NYBG post-doc Antoine Nicholas had a study published in "Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution" focused on the evolution of species of Azorella (Apiaceae) endemic to New Zealand, demonstrating two dispersals of the genus from South America.
A person in a white shirt, black tie, and glasses examines a dried yellow plant specimen inside a manila envelope within an archival setting
NYBG's @mauriciodiazgra.bsky.social was recently featured in Redagricola in a profile highlighting not only Mauricio’s career path, but also the impactful scientific work being carried out at NYBG.
Read the article here: redagricola.com/al-servicio-...
The UN’s #COP30 conference just concluded in Belém, Brazil, where representatives from NYBG were in attendance, sharing the ways in which plants are integral to tackling the climate crisis. Check out our recap on Plant Talk to learn more about the importance of botanical gardens to this effort.
We’re a proud partner of Botanic Gardens Conservation International, @usbotanicgarden.bsky.social, @croptrust.bsky.social, & @fao.org on the GCCFP to strengthen food security & biodiversity conservation—and excited for its global 11/22 launch in Peru as part of the @planttreaty.bsky.social session.
During #COP30, NYBG's Emma Grover moderated a discussion between @ewsanderson.bsky.social and Dr. Alexandre of @rbgkew.bsky.social. They joined CAF to discuss the unique roles of botanical gardens in scaling nature-based solutions for the adaptation and mitigation of climate change.
A red and green book cover reading "Plants, People and Culture in Tafea Province, Vanuatu / Ol Plant, Pipol, mo Kalja blong Tafea"
Four people pose for a photo in a green, tropical locale while holding a copy of a recently published book. Two of them wear bright green, floral-printed wraps.
Six people hold copies of a recently published book while posing for a photo at the launch
As part of #ClimateWeek, NYBG President Jennifer Bernstein and Dr. Michael Balick, together with representatives from the Vanuatu government, officially launched the two-volume book "Plants, People and Culture in Tafea Province, Vanuatu" by Balick, Dr. Gregory Plunkett, and Vanuatu collaborators.
One aspect of the discussions taking place at #COP30 in Brazil is how we can turn tourism into a net positive—for the benefit of nature and local economies. You can dive deeper on the concept of ecotourism our Season 2 episode of Plant People with Dr. Mauricio Diazgranados here!
While we're discussing the future of our planet's health and biodiversity on stage at #COP30, we're working to be climate-smart here on the ground in the Bronx, too. See how our GreenSchool and Bronx Green-Up are part of the solution.
A group of people talk as they hike through a sunny green forest
Tomorrow’s climate and biodiversity leaders are growing here at NYBG—and answering #COP30’s call for long-term action. Learn how the Garden is cultivating the next generation of botanists: www.nybg.org/plant-resear...
Today at #COP30, NYBG’s @ewsanderson.bsky.social and @rbgkew.bsky.social’s Alexandre Antonelli discussed how plant-based approaches to mitigate and adapt to climate change can be scaled through the unique capacities of botanical gardens.
