New NMW supporter, the Midwest Native Plant Society is holding its 5th Annual Midwest Native Plant Conference on July 26, 27 & 28, 2013 and will include NMW events. Check out their agenda:
Saturday conference Keynote speaker, Professor Doug Tallamy, will inspire you about “Your Role in Building Biological Corridors: Networks for Life” . On Friday evening, back by popular demand, we will have brother/sister team Wayne Richards and Judy Burris give a lively presentation on “Wild for Weeds and Critters – the Vital Role of our Native Flora”. Saturday morning, David Fitzsimmons, photographer and author of “Animals of Ohio’s Ponds and Vernal Pools”, will present a talk about the importance of vernal pools to wildlife. Friday afternoon keynote speakers are Jim McCormac, who will give a photography workshop on “Shooting Landscapes to Liliies” while Cheryl Harner will enlighten us about “Lawns and Lawn Alternatives”. Jim Davidson. Ohio Lepidopterist Society, will lead a “Wings of Wonder” field trip to find and help us ID butterflies and dragonflies on the wing.
We will offer informative workshops and breakout sessions, as well as morning and evening field trips on Friday and Saturday. Sunday offers expert led field trips to some interesting natural areas rich in native plants and diversity. This year, our conference plant is Northern Spicebush. And, for the first time, we will be conducting a “bioblitz” during the conference to list the various species we encounter on our bird and butterfly walks, insects and moth evening hikes. We will have some real experts in our company to guide us and help us find those rare and/or elusives species during the weekend. This will be a fun and educational endeavor! We will be offering mothing stations during the conference for our night walks and we are registered with National Moth Week, a global citizen science project. See a sample of the weekend in the Conference Agenda!
We will be at the Bergamo Conference Center located on the beautiful grounds of the 300 acre Mount Saint John Preserve in Dayton, Ohio. We are grateful to the staff of the Marianist Environmental Center (MEEC) who assist us in putting this conference together each year! Our conference vendors will be open to the public Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm with native plants, artwork, books and other items that will connect you to nature.
In 2013, conference proceeds will benefit the following organizations: The Nature Conservancy’s Ohio Sunshine Corridor Project, Marianist Environmental Education Center, Cedar Bog Association,ONAPA – Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association, and Beavercreek Wetlands.
We hope to see you there!