Featured Speaker: Dr. John Richards

Dr. John Richards has been a reader of botany since 1970 at the University of Newcastle and Director of Environmental Biology. Is on a small research team working on plant breeding systems and iteraction with environment (e.g. climate). He is an Authority on the taxonomy of Primula (and Taraxacum!) He has held positions in the local, North East Rock Garden Group, and National Alpine Garden Society in England. He has also been on the joint Rock Garden Committee of AGS and the Scottish Rock Garden Society. He is also a judge for alpine plant shows. Dr. Richards has lead over 20 tours to the mountains of the world. He has traveled to China, US, New Zealand, Australia, Saudi, Malaysia, and many places in Europe especially the mountains of Greece. He has authored over 100 scientific papers and the well received book, Primula. He is an experienced lecturer, speaking to Rock Garden groups in the UK about 10 times a year.