[PCA] NEWS: 2011 Pritzlaff Conservation Award Winners announced (fwd)

[Olivia Kwong]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 22, 2011

Contacts:
Jill Freeland
Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens
jfreeland at sbbg.org
805-708-1779 (cell)

Allen Tolleth
California Native Plant Society
atolleth at cnps.org
916-447-2677


            JOHN SAWYER,   TODD KEELER-WOLF, JULIE EVENS RECEIVE
               HONORABLE JOHN C. PRITZLAFF CONSERVATION AWARD
                    FOR A MANUAL OF CALIFORNIA VEGETATION
  Award To Be Presented at SB Botanic Garden 8th Annual Orchid Show Dinner
                               March 12, 2011

Santa Barbara, CA -- Today, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden CEO, Steve
Windhager, announced that John Sawyer, Todd Keeler-Wolf and Julie Evens
will receive the Honorable John C. Pritzlaff Conservation Award for their
work with A Manual of California Vegetation -- a book produced by the
California Native Plant Society.

The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is dedicated to the cultivation, research,
education, and conservation of California native plants.  It is because of
this mission that the Garden recognizes and honors outstanding work in the
scientific community that supports and promotes conservation.

"A Manual of California Vegetation is an essential resource for ecologists
in California, containing important information for habitat condition
assessment, ecological restoration, and land management guidance," said
Windhager. "As an ecologist and a new resident in California, this is the
first book I purchased."

The first edition of the Manual, published in 1995, filled a void in
California resource management. The vegetation classification system in
this manual has been adopted as the standard by state and federal agencies
such as the California Department of Fish and Game, United States Forest
Service, National Park Service, and United States Geological Survey.  It
also has become the standard reference for vegetation used by consulting
firms and planners. The second edition of A Manual of California Vegetation
, published in 2009, provides an updated and more complete description of
California ecosystems, using aerial photography, satellite imagery and
direct field observations.  This data based classification system has made
possible more accurate vegetation maps, and the discovery of many rare
vegetation types.

"In late 1998, Todd, Julie, and I began work on a new edition of A Manual
of California Vegetation, prompted by a wealth of new vegetation
classifications and mapping projects that were being done throughout the
state," Sawyer said. "Using this new information, we wanted to create a
better tool for understanding, managing, and conserving California's 
native plant resources. To do that, we expanded the book's floristic and
geographical detail, and included information about disturbance regimes and
climate change. Ten years later, our vision has become a reality."

"CNPS is delighted to see Julie Evens, Todd Keeler-Wolf, and John Sawyer
recognized for their work in bringing the second edition of this invaluable
guide to the public," stated Tara Hansen, Executive Director of the
California Native Plant Society.

In addition to receiving the award the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Orchid
Show Dinner, Sawyer, Keeler-Wolf, and Evens will be leading a workshop on
the Manual on March 12, from 1 to 4.  This workshop will provide an
overview of the additions and changes in the manual, including new
vegetation types recognized or redefined across many habitats. It will also
discuss the new components of the vegetation descriptions and how this book
can be used to help achieve conservation and land management priorities.
Books will be available for purchase for $82 plus tax. Workshop fees are
$20 for Botanic Garden members or $40 for non-members with registration
required in advance at www.sbbg.org.

                                    # # #

About the Honorable John C. Pritzlaff Conservation Award: John C. Pritzlaff
was a Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Trustee from 1991 - 2003. John was a
life-long servant and champion of the people and the environment. His
political, personal, and volunteer activities speak clearly to his love of
the environment and his desire to ensure that our greatest treasure -- our
natural environment -- remains healthy for future generations. John
recognized that botanic gardens are powerful agents for conservation.
Individually and collectively, botanic gardens address a range of
activities needed to help ensure the survival of threatened plant species.
The Honorable John C. Pritzlaff Conservation Award, established in 2007,
honors John's life-long commitment to conservation and serves to inspire
others to understand the importance of conservation, taking action, and
helping the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden reach its plant conservation
leadership goals.

The award will be presented at the 8th annual Orchid Show Dinner and
Auction on March 12th at the Earl Warren Showgrounds. For tickets call
(805) 682-4726 ext 102.

About the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden: The Botanic Garden is an
educational and scientific institution. We foster stewardship of the
natural world through inspired learning, rigorous scholarship, and premier
displays. Through an emphasis on plants native to California, we advance
the knowledge and understanding of plant life and provide a rewarding
experience for our visitors.  www.sbbg.org

About the California Native Plant Society: The California Native Plant
Society is a non-profit 501c3 organization whose mission is to conserve
California's native plants and their natural habitats, and increase
understanding, appreciation, and horticultural use of native plants. Formed
in 1965, CNPS has nearly 10,000 members and 33 chapters with expertise on
native flora located across the state. The Manual of California Vegetation
is available for purchase online at www.cnps.org