Exciting new progress on the Flora of Virginia Project has been made over this past spring and summer 2000. At the May 2000 Annual Meeting of the Academy, this Project was discussed and enthusiastically supported at the Botany Section and the Virginia Flora Committee meetings. At the Academy Council meeting, Marion Lobstein gave a detailed report on the project on behalf of the Flora Committee and Botany Section and member of Council gave a unanimous vote of support for the Project .

Throughout this late spring and summer, other groups and individuals have continue to be updated on or informed about this project and have demonstrated interested in providing support as the Project develops. On behalf of the Virginia Flora Committee, Marion Lobstein has been in contact with representatives of the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, Wintergreen Nature Foundation, the Virginia Botanical Associates, the Board of Directors of the Foundation of the State Arboretum, and the director of Blandy Experimental Farm. In addition, at the VNPS (Virginia Native Plant Society) Annual Meeting in early June, Marion presented background on this project to the VNPS Board of Directors and the Board voted unanimously support for this project. From these contacts, a database of names of individuals and organizations willing to assist in support this Flora Project is being compiled.

In late May, Marion met with Alan Weakley who is currently completing his work Flora of the Carolinas and Virginia. He is very supportive of the Flora of Virginia Project and is willing to be the primary author of the Flora of Virginia if funding allows. Alan is looking into the format and other details for the Flora of Virginia.

In another exciting recent development, a potential project manager and a professional fund-raiser for the Project have been identified. In July, Chris Ludwig of the Virginia Natural Heritage Program announced that, once funds are raised to support the Flora of Virginia Project, he would be willing to serve as manger of the Project. Chris would apply his botanical skills as coauthor of the Flora. Chris’ experiences as manager and botanist in his 12 years with the Virginia Natural Heritage Program will be put to good use.

Joslin Gallatin, immediate past president of the FOSA Board, has agreed to spearhead initial fund-raising activities for the Project and, once sufficient funds are available, continue in this position on a professional basis. During Joslin’s tenure as FOSA Board president, she was successful in leading Board’s efforts to gain the first-ever Virginia Legislative support for the State Arboretum of Virginia.

In early August, Chris Ludwig, Joslin Galatin, and Marion Lobstein met to develop a Mission Statement, interim and long-term budgets, and a plan for the structure of a 501(c)3 (non-profit) foundation for the Project. Plans for development of a prospectus and fundraising over the next three months will set the stage for establishment of the Foundation before the end of 2000 and lead to substantial fund-raising in the next six months to launch a fully-staffed project.

The role of and support of the Virginia Flora Committee and the Academy membership as a whole will be very critical to the success of this Project. The Academy has long history of support of the study of the flora of Virginia and should take a leadership role in the support of this Project. Any suggestions as to how Academy members can help in fund-raising and other aspects of this project, especially after the groundwork of the next three months is laid, will be very helpful.
    Please forward these to Marion Lobstein (mblobst@mnsinc.com) or Rex Baird (jrb@uvawise.edu).
    Information on this project will soon be available on the homepage of the Virginia Flora Committee. Please check out this homepage (people.uvawise.edu/flora/index.html) to follow the progress of this Project and also other activities of the Virginia Flora Committee.
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