The Rediscovery of Quercus tardifolia

Back in May, a team of 9 from across the USA spent a week in Big Bend National Park attempting to rediscover Quercus tardifolia. This expedition was a collaboration lead by the Morton Arboretum and the U.S. Botanic Garden. This tree hadn’t been seen since 2010 and was only known from Boot Canyon. Lots could be written describing the rediscovery, of which I was a small part. Michael Eason, San Antonio Botanical Garden, first found the single tree but we celebrated as a team. It was a bit crazy to have been interviewed by so many media outlets after the rediscovery and there were many news stories I could have selected to highlight here, but here are my two favorite:

1. The New Republic (Marion Renault) did another fantastic story discussing the excitement and collaborative aspects of this rediscovery. Read the article here: https://newrepublic.com/article/167008/found-one-oak-tree-famously-missing
2. The Chicago Tribune ran a story of the FRONT PAGE above the fold. My Dad wrote for the local paper for a while, and this would have really ticked him. Check it out: https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/environment/ct-morton-arboretum-discovery-extinct-oak-tree-20220713-xffljuy33zdk7ml2gwvsnl4n5y-story.html