he story of the publication called DIVERSITY is a tribute to countless plant breeders, scientists, farmers, policymakers and individuals who cared deeply about the fate of the seeds and plants that are the basis and future of agriculture worldwide. It is also a tribute to Dr. William L. Brown, the visionary plant breeder and CEO of Pioneer Hi-Bred International, who recognized the need for a news journal to communicate among plant genetic resource professionals worldwide. The joint efforts of Brown and other agricultural leaders led to the publication of the first issue of DIVERSITY in 1982.

The idea for the journal DIVERSITY grew out of concern during the 1970s that the plant genetic resources of the United States were not sufficiently secure. Initially, DIVERSITY was intended to cover the central question of how the national germplasm might best be preserved. The editors took a broad view and covered not only political and administrative matters in Washington but also the research conducted within both the business and scientific communities.

DIVERSITY was published between 1982 and 2000. Over the years, it expanded its scope of coverage to include, among other things, such topics as the Convention on Biological Diversity, genetically modified organisms, the maintenance of intellectual property rights, conservation of both wild and cultivated habitats, as well as the preservation of traditional knowledge in developing countries. It was an important vehicle during a critical period for the dissemination of news and information pertaining to all of these issues.

Since Brown was a member of the U.S. National Plant Genetic Resources Board and interacted closely with the USDA’s National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS), the journal was initially based in Colorado and devoted its first issue to an overview of the NPGS. Funding was provided by the USDA, Pioneer Hi-Bred, and other corporate sponsors, with oversight by an Advisory Board of distinguished scientists, corporate leaders, and policymakers. Deborah Strauss was appointed Managing Editor and worked from offices in Washington D.C., where she could report on political developments. In 1985, Genetic Resources Communications Systems (GRCS) was formally incorporated as the non-profit publisher of DIVERSITY. From the beginning, DIVERSITY was designed to communicate current research news and policy developments more quickly than conventional research publications–a news journal rather than a peer-reviewed publication. Brown oversaw the incorporation of GRCS and served as President of the Board of Directors until 1988 when he became President Emeritus.

The list of directors who served on the GRCS board over the years is a “Who’s Who” of the plant genetic resource world. They included leaders from the public sector, the seed trade, international research institutions, the academic world, non-profit agencies, and more. Their expertise and connections provided an entrée to the key players and events during a period of intense international debate over plant genetic resource issues. One among the many distinguished individuals on the board was Dr. Peter Raven, Director of the Missouri Botanical Gardens, who served from 1985-1994 and later played another role in the life of the organization.

Working with limited resources and staff, Deborah Strauss put together a remarkable series of issues that chronicled current news events, policy debates, and the efforts of scientists, policymakers, farmers, and breeders, and activists around the world. Among the many seminal issues was a four-part series by Sir Otto Frankel on the history of the genetic resources movement (1985-87). There were special reports on U.S. germplasm distribution (1987), the Keystone Dialogues on Plant Genetic Resources (1990 and 91), the history of the Vavilov Institute (1991), FAO World Food Day (1993), and the 100th anniversary of the National Plant Germplasm System (1998), among others. For these and other outstanding reports, DIVERSITY was honored in 1990 with the Soviet Union’s Vavilov Medal for contributions to the preservation of global genetic resources.

Perhaps the most treasured issues are those describing the genetic resources and the institutions of key regional centers around the world. A double issue on Latin America, published in both English and Spanish, appeared in 1991. Another on the Mediterranean region was published in English and Arabic in 1995, followed by a special issue on India and South Asia in 1996. These included arguably the most comprehensive compendia of reports about international institutions, programs, and initiatives dedicated to genetic resources that has ever been assembled. Developing country scientists were proud to have their efforts publicized, and developed country readers valued the information about international programs that was impossible to find anywhere else.

Although DIVERSITY was initially presented as a quarterly news journal for the “plant genetic resources community,” by 1993 its scope was broadened to serve the “international genetic resources community.” The change both enlarged the focus to include all biological resources (with articles on animal, marine, insect, and microbial resources) and also emphasized the international scope of reporting. Along with the major articles, the issues also included a lively mix of book reviews, profiles of people in the news, lists of new publications and conference events, as well as contrasting viewpoints on controversial issues. Contributors and readers alike appreciated the fact that one could find a very wide range of views represented during a period when debates became quite heated.

DIVERSITY was available by subscription at rates that were deliberately held low to encourage international readership. Not surprisingly, subscription revenue was never adequate to sustain its operations, and sponsors played a vital role from the outset. Initially and for many years the U. S. Department of Agriculture and Pioneer Hi-Bred International provided the lion’s share of the journal’s support, with additional grants from a wide range of seed companies, foundations, and other government agencies. The regional issues were supported by grants from the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, government agencies from those countries included, and other interested donors. Other special issues and reports were funded by the agencies concerned. However, as time went by, it became increasingly difficult to secure long-term operating support.

In 1999, a major grant was given by the Sehgal Family Foundation to establish an endowment fund and to sponsor a new William L. Brown Award for Excellence in Genetic Resources Conservation. The award, accompanied by a cash prize of $10,000, was designed to recognize contributions made by an individual in the field of genetic resources conservation and use, and to honor the legacy of Bill Brown. The first award went to Dr. Carlos Ochoa of Peru for his long career in collecting and preserving potatoes species. Details of his career were reported in DIVERSITY volume 16(4), which appeared in 2000. Sadly, this was to be the final issue. Increasing publication costs and other changes in the publishing world, combined with a shift in donor priorities, made it impossible to sustain the publication.

The Board of Directors immediately sought a suitable new home for the WLB Award and the endowment that supported it. They wanted to ensure that the intent of the award and the purpose of the endowment would be honored and continued by an organization in the field of genetic resource conservation. For many reasons, the best fit was with the Missouri Botanical Gardens (MBG), where Dr. Brown had worked during his graduate years at Washington University in the late 1930's. The MBG has had a long and distinguished history of genetic resource collection and preservation, as well as growing overseas programs. Dr. Peter Raven, MBG Director and former DIVERSITY board member, was enthusiastic about carrying on the ideals of the journal. After a year of discussion and planning, DIVERSITY’s assets and endowment were transferred to the MBG in 2001. The agreement specified that proceeds from the endowment would support the WLB Award, a curatorship for the study of evolution of crop plants, and a fellowship program for students from south Asia studying genetic resource issues. To integrate and build on these initiatives with on-going programs at the MBG, a new center was created and named the William L. Brown Center for Plant Genetic Resources (WLBC). In recognition of DIVERSITY’s focus on communications, the WLBC has its own website (www.wlbcenter.org) and a quarterly newsletter. Fortunately, DIVERSITY’s legacy has been preserved and all of the back issues are available for down-loading with a searchable index.

Now, after several years of transition and evolution, the WLBC is thriving. Three more scientists have been honored by WLB Awards in ceremonies at the MBG, a strategic plan has been completed, the first south Asian fellowships have been awarded, and a new director is energetically moving the WLBC forward.

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