News & Events:Bamboo Pioneers

European Bamboo Expo 2-3 June 2023 in Dortmund, Germany

The WBO has partnered with WeProductions as a media partner to promote the upcoming European Bamboo Expo in Dortmund, Germany, 2-3 June 2023. Executive Director Susanne Lucas will present the role of the WBO in the global effort to promote bamboo as a sustainable resource. Read here the backstory of the history of the bamboo conversation in the "west"

Rest in Peace, dear Walter Liese

Our beloved mentor, teacher, scholar, gentleman, friend, Dr. Walter Liese, has passed away. To many of us, he was like a father or a grandfather, helping and critiquing us as we searched for knowledge in understanding bamboo. Fortunately he lived a very long life to the age of 97, working until the end, to understand all he could about bamboo, too.

In Honor of World Bamboo Pioneers 2022

The Bamboo Pioneer Award: This initiative was started in 2009 at the 8th WBC in Bangkok. It is rooted in gratitude and in giving recognition. The Bamboo Pioneer Award is a small gesture by the World Bamboo Organization, yet very important to me as the Executive Director.

Lamentable Noticia: the passing of Jorge Moran Ubidia

With great sadness we learn the news of the passing of our dear friend, our magnificent teacher, our respectful mentor, our great World Bamboo Pioneer = Jorge Moran Ubidia, of Ecuador. He will be so missed.

The World Bamboo Pioneers Award 2018

Dedication, determination and collaboration are required to advance any scientific endeavor. There exist individuals whose lifelong commitment to bamboo science and culture deserve our attention and honored recognition. Today, as part of the inauguration of the 11th World Bamboo Congress, we honor 4 of these great Bamboo Pioneers:

Linda Garland, World Bamboo Pioneer

Linda Garland receives World Bamboo Pioneer Award, and honored by the American Bamboo Society for her lifetime commitment to bamboo science, utilization and promotion. Photo by Rio Helmi. Thanks to American designer Paulina Hermansen of Oceanika Living.

Choi Hyungsik, South Korea

Governor Choi has made a tremendous impact on the county of Damyang, revitalizing its bamboo sector by expanding its bamboo industry for modern and sustainable utilization. Today, thanks to Governor Choi, the local bamboo resources are carefully maintained and managed to sustainably supply bamboo culms and shoots for emerging new markets.

Jorge Moran Ubidia, Ecuador

Professor Morán was one of the first to compare the physical properties of bamboo with wood and recognize the great structural strength of some bamboo species. Feeling an affinity for the spectacular native timber bamboo, he devoted his life to researching and using this resource.

Thomas Soderstrom, USA

Tom Soderstrom was an American agrostologist, which means he studied the botany of grasses (family Gramineae or Poaceae). He was Curator of Grasses at the National Museum of Natural History of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC for over twenty years.

Dina Nath Tewari, India

Dr. Tewari has spent more than five decades in promoting sustainable management of natural resources and nation building for eradication of poverty and hunger while protecting the environment, and has received international acclaim for achieving sustainability.

Charley Owen Younge, The Netherlands

Charley Younge was an enthusiastic promoter and advocate for bamboo, and a successful innovator for branding bamboo as a modern material. Charley was passionately engaged with bamboo, and his zest earned him a reputation worldwide for his knowledge about the bamboo plant and its development as an alternative to wood.

Zhu Zhaohua, China

Zhu has been invited to 45 countries for the purposes of academic and technical exchange. Zhu is considered an international expert of worldwide influence in many countries. His publication, Sustainable Development of the Bamboo and Rattan Sectors in Tropical China, is a benchmark for the modern management schemes and develop projects worldwide.

Oscar Hidalgo-Lopez, Colombia

In 2003, Oscar Hidalgo published an incredible book entitled, Bamboo – The Gift of the Gods. Essentially it is a testament of his life’s discoveries involving his study of bamboo. It is a triumph to his dedication and commitment. It is standing proof of his bamboo pioneering spirit.

Wenyu Hsiung passed away 26 August, 2014

On behalf of the entire global bamboo community and the family of bamboo scientists, we send our sincere condolences to Professor Hsiung’s family.

Wenyu Hsiung, the Peoples Republic of China

Wenyu Hsiung was born July 9th, 1915 in Chong Qing county of Sichuan Province. He graduated from the Forestry Department of Sichuan University, receiving his Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree in 1940. He remained on the staff as a faculty member after graduation. Four years later, he was promoted to a lecturer.

Jules Janssen, The Netherlands

In 1963, Jules Janssen achieved a Masters of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Delft University, with the main subject of structural design. From 1963-67, he was partner in an architect’s office, with major projects involving the structural design for a concert hall containing 3000 seats and a harbor shed of 7200 square meter (80,000 sq ft).

Shuen Chao Wu, Taiwan

Professor Shuen-Chao Wu was born on March 2, 1927 at Chai-Yi, a city in southern Taiwan. Wu grew up near the forest train station, and frequently had the chance to see trains carrying huge logs. In his childhood, those scenes gave him a strange feeling and unforgettable deep image in his heart.

Masatoshi Watanabe, Japan

Masatoshi Watanabe graduated from the Kyoto College of Foreign Languages in 1955. He received a Doctorate degree from National Kyushu University. His thesis title, “Basic studies on the management of bamboo forests based on ecological characteristics.”

Cherla Sastry

Cherla Sastry was born in Andhra Pradesh, India and came to Canada, as a graduate student, in the early sixties. He was lovingly known as the father of INBAR.

Vinoo Kaley

Bamboo Idealist Vinoo Kaley was born in Wardha on 30th June 1946. After many wanderings in as a Bhikshu of vernacular building wisdom, he started work at Wardha once again as architect, activist, manufacturer of lime, builder in mud and maverick lobbyist for cause of the Gandhian mode of building.