Scientific outreach is an effort made by scientists to share information about their research with nonscientists. Examples of outreach from a botanical perspective may include (but are not limited to): workshops or seminars for K-12 teachers, local horticultural societies, garden clubs, nature clubs, schools or businesses; special events for the general public (e.g., nature hikes, wild flower workshops); newspaper columns or op-ed articles; freelance articles in newspapers, on the internet, and in horticultural or popular science magazines; taxon-oriented websites or books that are aimed at a general audience; TV spots; legislative testimony; or legal defense of rare or endangered plant species. Working scientists have a unique opportunity to share the excitement of discovery with the public. The process of scientific outreach enriches the scientist and facilitates a dynamic teaching environment that is a natural extension of the academic paradigm.

Key words: science news, scientific outreach