Maymont-VCU Discovery Institute 2008 lecture series explores importance of conserving natural heritage in Virginia

By Sabrina Walters
VCU Communications and Public Relations

The Maymont-VCU Discovery Institute presents a six-part lecture series, “Wetlands and Wildflowers,” highlighting the importance of conserving Virginia’s natural heritage. 

Exhibits open at 6 p.m. and the lectures will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursdays beginning April 3 at Maymont’s Robins Nature & Visitor Center, 1700 Hampton St. 

The lectures are free and open to the public. However, reservations are recommended and may be made by calling 804-358-7166, ext. 325. For more information about the lecture series, contact Catherine Dahl at 804-827-7372.

The VCU Life Sciences and Maymont Foundation partnership features exhibits by wetlands ecologists and botanists as part of the institute’s continuing educational seminars to the general public, students and teachers to further their studies and training in life sciences. The schedule includes:

April 3 – “Wetlands and wildflowers: unique plants adapted to unique habitats,” Edward R. Crawford, Ph.D., professor and wetlands ecologist with Virginia Commonwealth University.

April 10 – “Virginia’s wildflowers: unified in function, diverse in form,” J. Christopher Ludwig, botanist and chief biologist with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Division of Natural Heritage.

April 17 – “Conservation of wetlands and wildflowers,” Andrew D. Lacatell, environmental planner and director of the Chesapeake Rivers Program within the Nature Conservancy.

April 24 – “Depressions, dolines, ponds and pools: the flora of isolated wetlands,” John F. Townsend, author and staff botanist for the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Division of Natural Heritage.

May 1 – “Conservation landscaping,” Carol A. Heiser, habitat education coordinator, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

May 8 – “Hidden colors of the marsh: wildflowers of marshes and other coastal wetlands,” Dot Field, Eastern Shore region steward, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Division of Natural Heritage.

A PDF brochure of the series and further reservation information is available at http://www.vcu.edu/lifesci/centers/pdfs/2008%20Maymount%20brochure.pdf.