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SABS

about us

The Southern Appalachian Botanical Society was founded in 1936 as a club for botanists in West Virginia and the surrounding area. In our 84 years we’ve grown into a regional botanical society with over 400 members across 14 states. 

Each year we provide students and professional members of our society with monetary awards for and recognition of outstanding research or contributions to Appalachian botany. 

Our peer-reviewed journal Castanea, published since our founding, continues to be one of the most important contributions our society has made to southeastern botany.

Mission

Our focus

We promote interest in Appalachian botany by publishing research and supporting scholars
Publishing
Scientific Literature

Appalachian Botany is a scientific treasure chest that is just beginning to be unpacked.

Since 1936, we've been publishing quality botanical research in the peer-reviewed journal Castanea

Awards

Each year, we provide professional and student scholars with thousands of dollars of support for ongoing research and in recognition of outstanding contributions to botany.

Community

The Southern Appalachian Botanical Society began as a club in 1936. We've grown since then but haven't lost any of the sense of fellowship we have with other southern botanists.

Students

Students are the future of every profession. Our organization noticed waning enrollment in botany programs and have dramatically increased our efforts to engage students and support them both professionally and financially.

22,647
Pages Published

$5,000+
Awards Each Year

85 years
of Botanical Community

400+
Active Members

SABS

Publications

We support Appalachian Botany and Excellence in Botanical Research

Castanea was first published in 1936 by The Southern Appalachian Botanical Club and is now in its 85th volume.

It was the first journal to focus on Appalachian and Southeastern botany and is now the premier botanical publication for the region.

The current issue and full archives are  available to SABS members and institutional subscribers at CastaneaJournal.com

Members stay connected to their botanical friends and colleagues while keeping up with society business and botany news by reading our quarterly newsletter.

Issues Contain:

  • Botanical Brainteasers 
  • Edible Plants
  • Core Research Student Reports
  • Botanical Excursions
  • Society News and Updates
  • Letters from the Editor
  • Membership News
  • Rare Plants

Occasional Papers in Eastern Botany

An occasional collection of papers published by the Southern Appalachian Botanical Society.

Occasional Papers in Eastern Botany was established in January 2003 and features long manuscripts not appropriate for a regular issue of Castanea, collections of shorter manuscripts that treat topics not usually published in Castanea, and proceedings arising from symposia and conferences.”

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SABS

Awards & Scholarships

We support Appalachian Botany and Excellence in Botanical Research

Elizabeth Ann Bartholomew Award

An annual award in memory of Elizabeth Ann Bartholomew’s untiring service to the public, to plant systematics, and to our organization.

Presented to individuals who have distinguished themselves in professional and public service that advances our knowledge and appreciation of the world of plants and their scientific, cultural, and aesthetic values, and/or exceptional service to the society. 

Helonias bullata by Alan Cressler (C)

Richard and Minnie Windler Awards

These awards are designated for the best systematics paper and best ecology paper published during the preceding year within our journal Castanea.

Earl Core Student Research Award

Established by the Society in 1996 to provide financial assistance in support of student research projects in plant taxonomy, systematics, and ecology.

The application deadline is in February and the award amount may be up to $1,200.

Sarracenia jonesii by Alan Cressler (C)

John E. Fairey – SABS Biological Field Station Scholarship

The Fairey Scholarship provides financial support for undergraduate or graduate students to attend botany workshops or courses taught at biological field stations, inclusive of all applicable course and direct field station fees such as tuition, room, and board.

Student Conference Support Award

SABS strongly encourages student participation in our annual conference.

Our members have voted to allocate a portion of their membership dues to sponsor students who wish to present a research paper or poster with a botanical focus at the annual Association of Southeastern Biologists & Southern Appalachian Botanical Society research conference.

The award amount is $300 and may be used at the student’s discretion to defray registration, travel, lodging, and food costs associated with attending.

Student Presentation Awards

These two awards are given to the student with the best Oral Presentation and best Poster at the annual ASB/SABS conference.

Entries are assessed by anonymous judges during the conference. Each award includes an honorarium of $300, and the winners will be announced at the ASB banquet on Friday evening of the conference.

2020

Award Recipients

SABS

Membership

Join the Southern Appalachian Botanical Society
Your membership supports the continued publication of Castanea and our student awards.
Sustaining Member

$75

per Year

Membership benefits plus ...

  • Support Students with annual awards and scholarships
  • Support student publications in Castanea
  • Support publishing Castanea, Chinquapin, and Occasional Papers in Eastern Botany
Member

$45

Per Year

All members enjoy

  • No Page Fees! for articles accepted for publication in Castanea
  • Castanea journal Online access
  • Occasional Papers in Eastern Botany online access
  • Chinquapin Newsletter
  • SABS Voting Rights
Student Member

$20

Per Year

Membership benefits plus ...

  • Scholarship and Award Eligibility
Castanea's membership options page has options for receiving print copies of our publications as well as options for memberships that last only one year or that perennially renew each year on the same day.
Jay Bolin

President

Rabecca Cook

Past-President

Matt Estep

Treasurer

Tom Diggs

Membership Coordinator

Council Member Puppo
Pamela Puppo

Member-at-Large, Council

Conley McMullen

Member-at-Large, Council

Jonathan Horton

Member-at-Large, Council

Katie Horton

Student Representative

Lytton Musselman

Editor, Chinquapin

Chris Randle

Editor-in-Chief, Castanea

Blog

Pumila

Botanical Musings, Society Announcements, and Castanea updates
Pinguicula pumila by Allan Cressler (C)
In Memoriam: Joe Everett Winstead
Joe Everett Winstead was born in Wichita Falls, Texas to Leonard E. Winstead and Nellie Helen (Reaser) Winstead on March 17, 1938. Thanks to the quick actions of his mother, the deal his older…

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Contact

Get in Touch

Send a message to SABS
About us

We are a community of botanists who have been supporting southeastern botany since 1935

Mailing Address

Dr. Kunsiri Grubbs,
Biology Department, Winthrop University
202 Dalton Hall Rock Hill, SC 29733

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