California Lichen Society

The California Lichen Society (CALS) is a nonprofit organization established in 1994 and dedicated to promoting the appreciation, preservation, and study of California lichens. It grew from nine founding members into a society of roughly 200 members worldwide, and it pursues goals that include mapping the state's lichen flora, preserving endangered lichen species, and enhancing knowledge and understanding of lichens throughout California and adjacent areas. Its activities span workshops for all levels of expertise, guest lectures, field trips, conservation work, a general member meeting and potluck each January, and participation in other fungus-related events. CALS is best known publicly for its successful campaign to designate lace lichen (Ramalina menziesii) as California's state lichen. On July 15, 2015, Governor Jerry Brown signed the bill, which took effect January 1, 2016, making California the first state to recognize a lichen as a state symbol. The society also officially endorses the Consortium of Lichen Herbaria (CLH) as a platform for sharing and managing biodiversity data on lichenized fungi, and invites collaborators and institutions worldwide to join the Consortium. The organization is governed by a board that has included President Jesse Miller, Vice-President Julene Johnson, Treasurer Lise Peterson, Secretary Allie Weill, and several members-at-large, with Danielle Ward and Justin Shaffer serving as Bulletin editors. CALS describes itself as welcoming to all people interested in lichens and states that it does not tolerate discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, ability, religion, or otherwise.

The California Lichen Society was established as a nonprofit corporation in 1994. It began with nine founding members and has since grown to include roughly 200 members worldwide. From its early years, the society set itself the goals of mapping the state's lichen flora, preserving its endangered species, and enhancing the knowledge and understanding of lichens throughout California and adjacent areas. A defining episode in the society's history was its campaign to designate a state lichen for California. On July 15, 2015, Governor Jerry Brown signed the bill designating lace lichen (Ramalina menziesii) as the California State Lichen. The law took effect January 1, 2016, making California the first state to recognize a lichen as a state symbol. CALS publicly thanked the campaign organizers, members of the lichenological community who wrote letters of support, and Assembly member Marc Levine, who sponsored the bill. In the years since, CALS has continued its educational and conservation programming, including workshops, guest lectures, field trips, and an annual general member meeting and potluck in January. The society also officially endorsed the Consortium of Lichen Herbaria (CLH) as a platform to share and manage biodiversity data on lichenized fungi, inviting collaborators and institutions worldwide to participate.

• 2016

  The state lichen law takes effect January 1, making California the first state to recognize a lichen as a state symbol.

• 2015

  Governor Jerry Brown signs the bill designating lace lichen (Ramalina menziesii) as California's state lichen on July 15.

• 1994

  California Lichen Society established as a nonprofit corporation with nine founding members.

A member-driven nonprofit society for lichen enthusiasts, researchers, and conservationists in California and beyond.

• Workshops for all levels of expertise

• Guest lectures

• Field trips

• Bulletin publication

• Conservation of lichens

• General Member meeting and potluck in January

1. 1California Lichen Societycalifornialichens.org
2. 2About — California Lichen Societycalifornialichens.org
3. 3California's State Lichen: Lace lichen (Ramalina menziesii) — California Lichen Societycalifornialichens.org
4. 4California Lichen Society — Wikidatawikidata.org