2011 Ohio Botanical Symposium

Another Ohio Botanical Symposium is, as we say in true Iron Chef style, "ovah".  Today's event was again super.  If you weren't able to attend, we were treated to a wide variety of topics on all things botanical, ranging from climate change to clovers and back again to reconstructing the pre-settlement vegetation of Clark County in west-central Ohio.

And congratulations to my botanical sensei Rick Gardner for putting together his eighth conference in a row.  One big announcement was made today- in case you missed it.  The symposium is moving to an every-other-year format.  I know Rick is tired and exhausted from putting this conference together year after year.  It gets increasingly difficult to find a new slate of speakers.  But Rick, please reconsider.  We all love the botanical symposium in its current format and I'd like to see it happen every year.

Thanks Rick for a wonderful event!

Tom

Ohio Botanical Symposium

Hiram College friends, including your blogger.

Sedgeheads, sedgeaholics, these guys love sedges.

Another fantastic 2010 Ohio Botanical Symposium is in the books, thanks to all the great speakers, and to the over 400 attendees of this years event.  I believe that a good time was had by all.

Tom

2010 Ohio Botanical Symposium

Once the calendar turns to a new year, I think all nature enthusiasts begin the count down to spring. There's no better way to feel that "spring fever" than by attending the Ohio Botanical Symposium in Columbus. Please consider joining over 400 botanically minded people for this year's 2010 Ohio Botanical Symposium. I'll be there, most likely running the AV equipment, so be sure to say hello.

Native plants, pollinators, prairie restoration, rare plant discoveries and sedges are some of the topics to be discussed on Friday, March 26, during the 10th Annual Ohio Botanical Symposium.

Presented by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Cleveland Museum of Natural History, The Nature Conservancy and The Ohio State University, the event will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Villa Milano, 1630 Schrock Road in north Columbus.

This year, we are very excited about having Dr. Doug Tallamy as our keynote speaker. His book “Bringing Nature Home: How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens” won the 2008 silver medal by the Garden Writer’s Association.

Jim McCormac, who was instrumental in starting the symposium ten years ago, is returning to present the best plant discoveries talk. The first 3 years of the symposium Jim gave this talk and started the annual tradition of highlighting Ohio plant discoveries.

Dr. Tony Reznicek, the sedge guru, is going to speak about sedges and the diversity and richness of the genus in Ohio and worldwide.

Martin McAllister is returning to speak on the restoration efforts at Agave Ridge Prairie where famous ecologist E. Lucy Braun sampled in the 1920s. Natural Areas has been monitoring the restoration effort with her original transect for over 15 years. Martin always gives a humorous, informative talk.

With the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid right on Ohio’s doorstep in Pennsylvania, it is important that we become familiar with the serious pest. Brad Onken of the U.S. Forest Service is one of the authorities on this insect and he will talk about the efforts to control this highly destructive species.

Finally, Dr. Lynn Loveless, who has been studying evolutionary biology of plants and pollinators, will discuss the relationships between pollinators and plants and how they have co-evolved over thousands of years.

The event will also feature displays from a number private and public conservation organizations and vendors offering conservation-related items for purchase.

The $25 attendance fee includes conference materials, continental breakfast, buffet lunch and break refreshments. Registrations will be accepted until March 22. For registration forms and more details, visit http://www.ohiodnr.com/tabid/20259/Default.aspx or contact Rick Gardner at 614-265-6419.

Please spread the word about the symposium to your friends and colleagues.



Tom

2009 Ohio Botanical Symposium

Today was the Ohio Botanical Symposium, a yearly event put on by ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, along with several partner organizations. Today's event held in north Columbus had over 400 people in the attendance. A slate of excellent speakers gave talks ranging from the best botanical finds in the state, to fungi, fern allies, and even bees. I got to meet several people that read the blog, and thanks for all of your kind comments. These are the types of things that keep me going here. I'm all geared up for a great field season, and yesterday, Megan and I introduced Weston to our yearly early spring wildflower hike at Highbanks Metropark. Although today was dreary, and tomorrow won't be much better, yesterday was one of those idyllic spring days where we hit the bloodroot just right, in full bloom. I'm working on those pictures from our hike and will have those here soon.

The symposium is over, we can now officially launch the botanical season. Go out and botanize!

Tom

Ohio Botanical Symposium 2008 Teaser

Attendees networking and obtaining sustenance at the 2007 Botanical Symposium.

The Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves and the Ohio Chapter of The Nature Conservancy hold the Ohio Botanical Symposium each year. Among other things, this is where we showcase the best rare plant finds across the state and recognize the fantastic botanists who assist us in keeping track of Ohio's rare plants. This year, Rick Gardner has put together a fabulous program. This years symposium will be held at the Ohio State University Fawcett Center on March 19th, 2008. Registration will open January 7th, 2007 (look for more details at www.ohiodnr.com/dnap beginning in January).

Here is this year's excellent lineup of speakers:

8th Annual Ohio Botanical Symposium
March 19, 2008
Agenda

Registration & Continental Breakfast 8:00

Welcome 9:00

Best Plant Finds of 2007 9:15
Greg Schneider, Ohio Division of Natural Areas & Preserves

Break & Refreshments 10:00

“Desert” Prairies: Vegetation and Flora of Xeric Limestone Prairies 10:15
in the Eastern United States
Dr. Patrick Lawless, University of Kentucky

The Real Story about the Birds & the Bees: Pollination Ecology 11:00
and the Need for Subtle Conservation
Dr. David Horn, The Ohio State University

Lunch 11:45-1:15

Media Show: Nature’s Beauty in Southern Ohio 2008 12:45
John Howard

Keynote Address: The Splendor of Nature's Palette: Orchids of the Midwest 1:15
Mike Homoya, Indiana Division of Preserves

Break & Refreshments 2:15

“I Don’t Know My Mosses” 2:30
Dr. Robert Klips, The Ohio State University

Discoveries and Progress in Preserving the Oak Openings of Northwest Ohio 3:15
John Jaeger & Tim Schetter, Metroparks of the Toledo Area

Adjourn