[PCA] NEWS: Kathryn Kennedy, Ph.D., Receives Highest Conservation Award from Garden Club of America

[Olivia Kwong]

Center for Plant Conservation Press Release

For Immediate Release
Contact: Jo Meyerkord, 314-577-9541
Center for Plant Conservation,
Communications Coordinator

KATHRYN KENNEDY, PH.D, RECEIVES HIGHEST CONSERVATION
AWARD FROM GARDEN CLUB OF AMERICA

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- The Center for Plant Conservation and the Garden Club of 
St. Louis announces Kathryn L. Kennedy, Ph.D., received the Frances K. 
Hutchinson Medal, one of the Garden Club of America's highest awards for 
conservation. Kennedy joined the Center for Plant Conservation as its 
president and executive director in Sept of 2000. The Center coordinates 
and assists development of hands-on plant conservation programs in a
national network of 36 participating institutions. Kathryn coordinates the 
Center's work from the national office in St. Louis, ensuring scientific 
excellence and program development for the organization and its 
institutions. Nominated by the Garden Club of St. Louis, Kennedy accepted 
the medal in a ceremony in Norfolk, Va.

Prior to joining the Center for Plant Conservation, Kennedy had been 
working toward the conservation of rare plants for over 20 years. "It is 
not an overstatement to say that Kathryn's leadership, dedication, and 
scientific brilliance have brought CPC to the front lines in the ongoing 
struggle to save the earth's endangered plants," said Becky Fouke, the 
Garden Club of St. Louis awards committee chairman.

"I'm thankful for GCA's support for my passion, the conservation and 
restoration of America's vulnerable native plants. Nearly 25% of our 
native flora is already at risk, and climate change brings new 
challenges," said Kennedy. "Every plant lover makes a difference, 
moderating energy use, sharing our love of native plants in our own 
gardens, supporting conservation policies and budgets, and volunteering."

The Center for Plant Conservation is coordinated by a national office and 
guided by a volunteer board of trustees and the experts of the CPC Science 
Advisory Council. By developing standards and protocols and conducting 
conservation programs in horticulture, research, restoration, and raising 
awareness, CPC's network is striving to save America's rarest plants from 
being lost forever. For additional information on the Center for Plant 
Conservation visit the CPC website at
www.centerforplantconservation.org