“How does a zoologist end up leading a plant specialist group? I first became interested in cycads during my PhD (in zoology) when I studied the fascinating interaction between these ancient plants and the insects that feed on them. The study inspired a great respect and affection for cycads as persistent survivors of several major extinction events, but also alerted me to the extinction crisis that now threatens the existence of more than half of the ca. 300 species.” says John.

One of the first tasks John undertook as Chair was to co-ordinate the Cycad Action Plan, including an update of the Red List status, and this confirmed that cycads are globally the most threatened group of plants. Since the publication of the Cycad Action Plan in 2003, John’s focus has been on reorganising the CSG to provide innovative and practical solutions to conservation problems. The group is strengthening its capacity in the CSG to contribute to sustainable trade and the efficient functioning of community-based nurseries, to build on the very successful network of ex situ collections, to develop species survival plans, and deal with an emerging problem of invasive pests on wild cycad populations.

The CSG has always had a strong scientific base, providing authoritative information on the taxonomy, classification, and biology of cycads that has proved invaluable for the development of the Action Plan, the Red Lists, analyses of trade for CITES, and input into policies.

John says, “My goal is to strengthen this foundation and to bring in young scientists with fresh ideas and new skills, especially those working in important cycad areas in Central and South America, Africa, south-east Asia, and Australia.”

The CSG’s science and conservation activities have also benefited enormously from a series of international congresses held every 3 years since 1987 and, to ensure continuity, the CSG has now established a sub-committee to convene future meetings.