Plants are vital to all life on earth. They convert light from the sun into energy we can eat, and even use for fuel. They also release the oxygen we breathe. Botanists study plants to try to understand how these processes work. Their research is involved in enhancing crops, developing medicines, cleaning up contaminated sites, and even powering our cars.

It’s an exciting field on the cutting edge of the clean energy economy. It’s also a profession for nature lovers. Some botanists study how plants relate to their natural communities. The work of these plant ecologists helps conserve endangered species and natural areas. Regardless of the specialty, we all benefit from their work.

Simply put, botany is the study of plants. While it may sound straightforward, botany includes the study of everything from algae to giant Redwood trees, from the microscopic level to the ecosystem level.