To Our CNPS Community,
I am thrilled to be joining the California Native Plant Society this week as Executive Director. CNPS has a remarkable history as an organization of passionate volunteers, staff, and partners, all working to save California’s native flora. It is a dream for me to support and lead this important work at such a pivotal time for nature.
Today, we face the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. Just this week, the World Wildlife Fund reported more grim news—a stark 69% drop in wild vertebrate populations globally since 1970. Habitat loss – exacerbated by climate change – is a major driver of that decline, which is just one illustration of why our mission to protect California’s native plants and natural habitats is so critical. Native plants are the foundation of life: When we save native plants, we help save everything else.
As executive director, I intend to focus my energy and attention on strengthening our partnerships, elevating our impact, and building an even stronger and more inclusive CNPS to meet this moment.
My own journey to CNPS started decades ago, when I first fell in love with the natural world while exploring the creeks and oak woodlands of the South San Francisco Bay Area. My affinity for science and conservation led to a multidimensional career spanning higher education, international diplomacy, and advocacy.
In 2020, I decided to realign my life and career with my priorities. Family and my core interest in conservation brought me back to California.
Working at the federal level and around the world has deepened my belief in California’s exceptionalism: Our environmental leadership, coupled with our values of diversity and equity, enable us to achieve progress at a pace and scale that can only be imagined elsewhere. CNPS’s impacts in advancing native plant conservation, science, horticulture, stewardship, and community-based outreach provide a shining example of this.
I am fortunate to be stepping into my role following longtime CNPS member and former board member Vince Scheidt, who has done an outstanding job of leading CNPS for the past two years. He has been a positive and empowering influence during a period of significant growth in our team, and I thank him on behalf of the entire organization.
CNPS is crucial to preserving California’s native plants and places for future generations, and we also know we can’t do it alone. We must grow our movement while making space for more voices and perspectives. We are committed to meaningfully partnering with diverse communities and with Indigenous Americans, who have stewarded California’s biodiversity for thousands of generations.
In the months ahead, I look forward to visiting chapters across this beautiful state and getting to know you, hearing your stories, and understanding what excites you most about our work.
I am confident that by working together we will adapt and thrive as we meet new challenges and opportunities.
California is depending on us for so much, and we are extraordinarily well-positioned for the future.
Sincerely,
Jun
Dr. Jun Bando is Executive Director of the California Native Plant Society.
Learn more about Jun here.
