Spring 2026
Photos by Liv O’Keeffe
Students attending the 2026 CNPS Conference in Riverside, joined by CNPS board president Vivian Neou (center left) and CNPS executive director Dr. Jun Bando (center right). (Photo credit: Alisha Jucevic)
As the new Director of Education and Horticulture at CNPS, I was excited to attend my first CNPS conference in February. It was a great opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, meet new partners, and engage with professionals across our field. I was especially eager to spend time with early‑career attendees—educators, horticulturists, researchers, and science communicators. Supporting people at the start of their careers is one of my greatest joys.
The poster session was a highlight. A dynamic group of emerging researchers presented their work—many for the first time—sharing their ideas with hundreds of conference participants. Throughout the event, I watched these scientists confidently discuss their projects, receive recognition and feedback, and build meaningful connections with one another. Seeing this firsthand reinforced how powerful it is when we create space for the next generation. Here is a recap of several featured early‑career professionals. — Lila Higgins
“My poster presented a morphometric study of a putative hybrid zone in Castilleja, using measurements from herbarium vouchers. This was my first poster presentation, based on research I am conducting as an undergraduate at Cal Poly SLO, and it was a wonderful opportunity to learn about ongoing work, exchange ideas, and build connections in the field. Seeing such a wide range of research and career paths was incredibly helpful as I think about my next steps, giving me a clearer sense of the kinds of work I hope to pursue and the paths that lead there.”
—Annalise Burrows
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
“Morphological Variation in Castilleja Hybrids of the White Mountains”
“Attending and presenting at the CNPS Conference was a great experience for me as an early career botanist and ecologist. I reconnected with friends and colleagues (and met new ones), received valuable feedback on my research, and learned so much about the variety of interesting research, restoration and advocacy happening in the California Floristic Province. It was energizing to spend time with so many passionate plant nerds!”
—Jack Christy
Cal Poly Humboldt
“Assessing Small-Scale Range Shifts of Conifers in a Topographically Complex Landscape”
“Attending the CNPS Conference this past February as a first-time poster presenter was an honor and a privilege. My research in the Spasojevic lab at UC Riverside focused on seed and recruitment limitation in two pine species, Pinus jeffreyi and Pinus ponderosa, on Mt. San Jacinto. I am truly grateful to have been able to present my research, and for the CNPS Conference scholarship that made it possible for me to attend.”
—Elizabeth Garcia
UC Riverside
“Seed Limitation of Pinus ponderosa and P. jeffreyi in a Montane Hardwood-Conifer Forest in Southern California”
“I’m thrilled I was able to attend the CNPS Conference and present my research, which focuses on the physiological recovery of California’s mixed evergreen hardwoods following the combined effects of wildfire and salvage logging. At this conference, I feel that I’m always able to make new connections and learn about unique research conducted across the state, which speaks to CNPS’s impact across a broad diversity of voices and experiences.”
—Hugh Leonard
UC Santa Cruz
“Robust Recovery: Resprouting and Water Stress Response of the Mixed Evergreen Forest Following Wildfire and Salvage Logging”
“Seeing a study on invasive species at the CNPS Conference may take some by surprise. However, I hope my study showed how comparing urban and rural environments can serve as a proxy for drought. Future research can use native plants in a similar workflow to see their responses to drought. Thank you to everyone who came to my poster and gave constructive criticism—hopefully we’ll publish soon! Kudos to the team for hosting the conference’s karaoke event and the ‘relaxation’ center.”
—Cyrus Zomorrodi
San Jose State University
“Simulating Plant Drought Response Using Urban Environments”
“I co-presented a poster at the CNPS Conference on native bee-host interactions in urban and natural landscapes. This was my first time presenting at and attending a conference, and my experience couldn’t have been more positive. The coordinators, plenary speakers, presenters, and attendees of the conference made it a fun, passion-filled environment with lots of new, captivating research presented.”
—Crimson Figueroa, Santa Rosa Junior College;
presenting with Miles Johnson, UC Davis
“Native Bee-Host Interactions Across Urban and Natural Landscape”
“We are so grateful to have been able to attend the 2026 CNPS Conference! It was an incredible experience, and we learned so much about the work being done to preserve the natural wonders of California. Networking with biologists and activists that came from all corners of California was an unforgettable opportunity and a wonderful start to our careers. We are so excited to see what comes next!”
—Lucy West and Haven Reed
West Valley College
“Coast Redwood Seedling Survival Strong Through Year 3 in a Region Modeled as No Longer Suitable for Redwood Establishment”
