I thought life might slow down a bit after my book, Mosses of Missouri Through a Hand Lens, got published, but boy…was I wrong! Now, I have been able to take some time and work on several side projects that have been put on hold for three years, but the bryophyte world is still keeping me on my toes. Which is a good thing, because I love my bryophytes.

Preparing for a Workshop

Earlier this year I was asked to consider hosting a 5-day Bryophyte workshop in May of 2026 at Missouri University of Science and Technology’s Ozark Research Field Station. After talking to and receiving positive support from several colleagues and my husband, I said yes.

This workshop has been approved for 4 Continued Education Credits through the University of Missouri Extension Program.

Now my winter is being spent preparing for the course by writing the lessons and PowerPoints and setting up the field trips. I am really very excited about this opportunity! For more information about this workshop and to register, please click here. Check out the flier here.

New to Missouri Species

2024 was a fantastic year for finding new species of bryophytes for Missouri. I found the moss Leptodontium flexifolium, and the liverwort Blasia pusilla. I have been busy writing the paper, and it will be published soon in the Missouriensis. The Leptodontium species has a fun, speculative, cultural history related hypothesis as to how it may have arrived here as it is a very disjunct population!

Above Left: The moss Leptodontium flexifolium. Above Right: The liverwort Blasia pusilla.

Writing Articles

Last but not least, I’m enjoying writing an article for the spring 2026 issue of the Missouri Prairie Foundation’s journal: Missouri Prairie Journal. It will be about the bryophytes that are found in Missouri prairie ecosystems, and the roles they play.

Once we get through winter, I am looking forward to getting the Bryophyte Crawls scheduled. If you have any suggestions for cool places to check out in Missouri, please send me a message. Until then, I will be busy researching, writing, and planning for all sorts of wonderful bryophyte programs.

Happy mossing!