Dr Scott Zona received his BSc in Plant Science (Horticulture) from the University of Florida, his MSc in Botany from the University of Florida, and his PhD in Botany from Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden and Claremont Graduate University, in California. He is currently the Palm Biologist for Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (FTBG), a position he has held since 1993, and leader of the Palm Conservation Program at FTBG’s Center for Tropical Plant Conservation. His training is in taxonomy, systematics and anatomy, and his interests are in all aspects of palm diversity especially the identification, classification and distribution of palms.

Scott’s plans for the Palm Specialist Group (PSG) include establishing a website that will act as a “clearing house” for palm conservation, offering tools, contact information and current conservation news. The Group will focus on the Global Palm Assessment, an ambitious project in which all of the world’s approximately 2,600 palm species will be assessed according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria and point data from herbarium specimens. To that end, Scott is leading the PSG’s efforts to get specimen data digitized from a dozen herbaria around the world that have significant palm collections. The Global Palm Assessment will lead to new Red List assessments for the palms.

Scott is also co-editor of PALMS, the journal of the International Palm Society, and a member of the Society’s board. His interest in palms and tropical plants is more than just professional. He is an avid gardener with a work in progress in South Miami, Florida.