The peculiar advantages of natural history

As systematists, we play a vital role in increasing people’s appreciation of biodiversity. We collaborate with land managers and help shape conservation policy. We promote herbaria as archives, research platforms, and spaces for researchers to work shoulder-to-shoulder with amateurs. We build and translate humans’ understanding of plant diversity. We mentor educators and students. In all of this, we play an often-understated role in helping people learn the vital skills of natural history: seeing, describing, and making sense of complex patterns in the natural world. The practices of systematics and natural history enable us to appreciate the complex networks of organisms that inhabit our neighborhoods, local parks, and natural areas. Our discipline thus builds foundational knowledge and skills that are useful to every member of society. As ASPT approaches its centennial, our continued success will depend on the strength of a diverse community of artists, educators, researchers, land practitioners, and enthusiasts. Supporting and continuing to build this extended plant systematics community is our best way to ensure its effectiveness and strength.