17 July 2010

Dear Board of Directors and All Members of HSI:

It is with great pleasure that I acknowledge and accept the honor to lead the Heliconia Society International as President over the next several years. Some of you may know that Fred Berry and I (co-authors of the original Heliconia Guide) conceived of and launched HSI with the help of many other "heliconia-nuts" over twenty years ago. Professionally I have spent my scientific career advancing our knowledge of the classification and evolution of Heliconia and its relatives in the Zingiberales. So it is with great excitement that I look forward to continuing this work with you through HSI.

Since the launch of HSI the Society has been instrumental in spreading the word to the lay audience, to the horticultural sciences, and to professional botanists about the natural beauty of heliconias as well as their ecological importance in their native habitats. HSI through its Bulletin and biennial meetings must continue this role as Zingiberales "cheerleaders" and the translator of information on the biology and diversity of heliconias to the interested public and the commercial sector.

How will we do this? I hope and expect that we can engage botanists more in the activities of the Society to provide the scientific and horticultural information which must be the basis of our educational outreach. In addition we must make efforts to distribute the HSI Bulletin to as wide an audience as possible to make sure our message is heard. Third, we should consider the best avenues to raise additional funds in order to increase our activities and influence. And finally, we need to increase our impact on the conservation of heliconias, gingers, bananas, and all members of the Zingiberales through renewed activities and expansion of our Conservation Centers.

Perhaps these expectations are large, but we are an energetic group and I am confident we can succeed. I want to thank Victor Lee and his team for organizing the outstanding 2010 Singapore Conference and I look forward to working with all of you to further our goals. With my best wishes,

Yours,

W. John Kress

Curator of Botany and Research Scientist
Department of Botany
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History