About the Society

About the Society

The American Bryological and Lichenological Society was founded in 1898. It is an organization devoted to the scientific study of all aspects of the biology of bryophytes and lichen-forming fungi and is one of the nation's oldest botanical organizations. Membership is open to all persons (professionals and amateurs) with interest in these organisms. Approximately 625 individuals currently hold membership in the Society.

Constitution

The ABLS Constitution and By-Laws govern the operations of the Society and were revised in 1998. They include information on membership, meetings, finances, prohibitions, officers, publications, awards, and dues. Right click here to download a copy or print from the link above from your browser.

Society Officers

Society officers are elected every other year by open ballot. The current officers include a president, president-elect, and a secretary-treasurer. The society is governed by an Executive Committee that includes the officers, the Business Manager, the journal editors, past presidents, and members-at-large.

50 Presidents of the ABLS in 2008!

Membership Services

A directory of current members, information about membership dues, and applications for individuals wishing to join ABLS may be found on the membership services page.

Meetings

The Society (ABLS) holds annual meetings in July or August, and field trips are normally offered in conjunction with the meeting. Annual meetings are often held jointly with meetings of the Botanical Society of America or with meetings of other biological societies. Support for student travel to annual meetings is available.

Awards

Each year, the Society give out three awards to recognize distinguished contributions to bryology and lichenology: the A. J. Sharp Award, awarded to a student for an outstanding presentation at the annual meeting; the William Starling Sullivant Award, awarded for a distinguished, original research article in bryology, published in The Bryologist; and the Edward Tuckerman Award, awarded for a distinguished, original research article in lichenology, published in The Bryologist. This year's award winners were announced after the 2010 Annual Meeting in Providence, Rhode Island.

Publications

The Society publishes both a quarterly journal and an informational bulletin. More information about these items be found on the publications page.

Specimen Exchanges

The Society also sponsors specimen exchanges, to help members acquire identified specimens from diverse geographic regions.

History

Lewis Anderson's 2000 paper on the early history of the society.

Irwin Brodo's 2000 paper on lichenology in the ABLS, 1899-1999.