Dear Sirs,

The year 2024 for the PAN WARSAW BOTANICAL GARDEN is a jubilee year, the year of the 50th anniversary of botanical research on Polish flora, but also on the biodiversity of our Planet. Also, the biological education of Polish society conducted over the years at the highest level. It is impossible not to mention cultural activities, for a long time I have heard from the mouths of many Varsovians that the Botanical Garden in Powsin is "another Zacheta, but in green." I also deliberately used the old, probably the first name of the Garden, you know very well that it is about you. In this way, I wanted to remember and honor all those who have contributed to its establishment and further development over the past 50 years. To remember all of them, not just the four outstanding Professors whose names have been placed on the commemorative stone. I regret that I was not able to celebrate the official 50th anniversary with you, but today, at the end of 2024, I would like to share with you a thoughtful message. Well, in addition to the many signs of appreciation for your 50 years of activity, there has been another award from the Division II of Biological and Agricultural Sciences of the Polish Academy of Sciences. A high and esteemed one. A distinction not for the scientific council, the management or the board of directors, but for ALL employees, present and former, for their many years of work to create a unique place in the Powisń suburbs of Warsaw. And for that I sincerely thank you and congratulate you!

And now I would like to inform you a little more officially that the Chapter of the Michal Oczapowski Medal of Division II of the Polish Academy of Sciences has awarded the medal for outstanding contribution to the development of experimental and applied botany to the PAS Botanical Garden - Center for the Preservation of Biological Diversity in Powsin in 2024. The ceremony took place on December 12 this year at the Staszic Palace. Due to the business trip of the Director, Prof. Arkadiusz Nowak, the award was received by his deputy for economic affairs and development, Dr. Paweł Kojs, in the presence of the Secretary of the Scientific Council, Prof. Anna Mikuła, and a group of employees and friends of the Garden. The medal was handed over in person by the Chairman of the Medal Chapter, Professor Andrzej Grzywacz, Member in Fact. PAS in the presence of the authorities of Division II of PAS and a delegation of the Presidium and Chancellery of PAS.

I am pleased to inform you that at the same ceremony there was another important Garden accent, Prof. Jan Rybczynski, a long-time employee of the Garden, was individually awarded the Michal Oczapowski medal for his outstanding contribution to the development of experimental plant biology. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Professor!

I should also add that the Medal Chapter also honored this year the Faculty of Agriculture and Economics of the Hugo Kołłątaj Agricultural University in Cracow, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary, for its outstanding contribution to the development of agricultural science, and individually Prof. Dr. Grzegorz Bartosz, a correspondent member of the Polish Academy of Sciences (for his outstanding contribution to the development of biophysics and biochemistry) and Prof. Dr. Włodzimierz Bednarski, an actual member of the Polish Academy of Sciences (for his outstanding contribution to the development of food technology).

Thanking you for your work and commitment so far, I wish you all continued success, fulfillment of all intentions and plans in your professional activities, as well as prosperity in your personal lives.

Romuald Zabielski, Chairman of the Scientific Council

Warsaw, December 14, 2024.

Photo: Anna Karwowska, Communications Office of the Polish Academy of Sciences