Central South Native Plant Conference Brochure 2013

T h u r s d a y , O c to b e r 31 Pre-Conference Master Class 8:30-4:30 p.m.

Art, Ecology and the Wild Garden

C. Colston Burrell Your garden is a community of plants and animals related to the neighborhood and the region. This workshop explores ecological design principles in that context to create gardens of the highest artistic merit. Home landscapes should be designed to minimize environmental impact, maximize ecological function, enhance wildlife value and accommodate human needs without sacrificing beauty. Topics covered will include design inspiration from nature, soil/plant relationships, plant selection and design examples.

T

Eve nt Information

he 2013 Central South Native Plant Conference: Native Plants – Looking Back and Moving Forward will be held at Birmingham Botanical Gardens and is the premier wildflower conference of the Southeast. Held every 3-4 years since 1991, the conference fosters awareness, appreciation and increased usage of plants native to the Southeast. An outstanding lineup of Southeastern native plant experts is featured in a variety of lectures, breakout sessions, field trips and tours.

C en t r a l S o u t h N a t i v e P la n t C o n f e r e n c e Nati ve Plants: Looki ng Bac k an d Movi ng Forward

In addition to discussing many wonderful native plants and their related topics, this conference will focus on the Southeast’s native plants and their habitats from a historical perspective.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens is Alabama’s largest living museum with over 12,000 different plants in its living collections. The Gardens’ 67.5 acres contains over 25 unique gardens, 30+ works of original outdoor sculpture and miles of serene paths.

The Gardens features the largest public horticulture library in the U.S., conservatories, a wildflower garden, two rose gardens, the Southern Living garden, and a Japanese garden with a traditionally crafted tea house.

Two-Day Conference (includes lunch both days) Members of Birmingham Botanical Gardens & Sponsoring Organizations and Businesses - $145 Non-members - $160 Full-time Students - $90

Register online at:

bbgardens.org/csnpc Student Scholarships available email John Manion for application: jmanion@bbgardens.org

October 31 November 2, 2013

Alabama Wildflower Society

H o t e l A c c o m o da t i o n s Rooms have been reserved for attendees who must travel.* Aloft Birmingham SOHO Square p205.874.8055 Embassy Suites Hotel p205.815.6050 Hampton Inn Mountain Brook p205.870.7822

(Ask for Central South Native Plant Conference Reservations. You can also make your reservation online at www.bbgardens.org/csnpc) *Reserve by October 3, 2013

This brochure was printed using vegetable based inks. Please recycle.

Pre-Conference Master Class: (includes lunch) Members of Birmingham Botanical Gardens & Sponsoring Organizations and Businesses - $95 Non-members - $115 Full-time Students - $80

2013 E v e n t S p o n s o r s

For a complete schedule, presenter biographies, description of presentations and field trips: visit us online at www.bbgardens.org/csnpc.

Registration Fees

2612 Lane Park Road Birmingham, Alabama 35223 205.414.3950 b b g a r den s.o r g

photo courtesy of Beth Maynor Young/BethMaynorYoung.com

enhanci ng l if e wit h pl ant s

Pinus palustris Longleaf pine

Education programs run year round and over 10,000 school children enjoy free science-curriculum based field trips annually. The Gardens is open daily, offering free admission to over 350,000 yearly visitors.

Gentiana saponaria, soapwart gentian

photo courtesy A.L. Gibson

en ha n c i n g l i f e w ith p la n ts

bbg ar dens.org/cs npc

F r i day , N ov e m b e r 1 7-8 a.m.

7:45 a.m.

8:30 a.m.

8:45 a.m.

Early Morning Birding: Helena Uber-Wamble

Registration/Coffee/Vendors Welcome from Executive Director Plenary Session: Southeastern Forests Through Time: the 360 Million Year History of Plant Communities in the Southeast: Jim Lacefield, Ph.D.

Southeastern plant communities today result from dynamic interplay between the geologic evolution of the region’s landscapes and climate, and the ongoing evolution of plant life. Origins of this flora can be traced back hundreds of millions of years; major steps in its development are well-documented in the fossil record found across Alabama and adjacent regions.

9:45 a.m.

10 a.m.

Break Plenary Session: Longleaf – Far as the Eye Can See: John C. Hall, Ph.D.

Echoing Longleaf – Far as the Eye Can See, his recently co-authored book, Hall presents a tribute to the remarkable longleaf pine ecosystem, examining its range, appearance, diversity and cultural connections to the life and economy of our region. From turpentine manufacturing and pitch making, to timbering and the depression-era conservation crisis, human exploitation has made it one of America’s most endangered ecosystems.

11 a.m.

Plenary Session: The Native Plant Movement in North America: C. Colston Burrell

The late 19th Century set the stage for a national love affair with native plants. Victorian passion for the outdoors gave birth to the field guide.

The environmental movement caused the modern native plant nursery to blossom. Today, native plants are integral to horticulture and design in America, while concerns about invasive exotic species, habitat destruction, global warming and xenophobia are more relevant than ever.

Noon

Lunch

Concurrent Session #1 1-1:50 p.m.

1-1:50 p.m.

1-1:50 p.m.

Native Plants in Your Garden: Lessons from Nature and Culture: C. Colston Burrell Bibb County Glades: Alabama’s Botanical Lost World: Tom Diggs, Ph.D.

Nature Inspired: Biomimicry and its Application in the Constructed Landscape: Arnie Rutkis

F r i day , N ov e m b e r 1 Concurrent Session #2 2-2:50 p.m.

Southeasternflora.com - a Practical Resource for Native Plant Identification:

John Gwaltney

2-2:50 p.m.

Tutwiler’s Spleenwort: Alabama’s Rare Botanical Treasure: Hunter McBrayer

2-2:50 p.m.

A Glimpse into the History of Plant Cultivation: Michelle Reynolds

S a t u r day , N ov e m b e r 2 7-8 a.m.

7:45 a.m.

Early Morning Birding: Greg Harber Registration/Coffee/Vendors

Concurrent Session #1 1-1:50 p.m.

Good Things from the South: Fred Spicer

8:30 a.m.

Announcements and a Tribute to Louise G. “Weesie” Smith

1-1:50 p.m.

A Glimpse into the History of Plant Cultivation: Michelle Reynolds

1-1:50 p.m.

Alabama Birds, Their Habitats and Our Common Future: Greg Harbor

This year's conference will honor Louise G. (Weesie) Smith, a pioneer in Alabama conservation and in the promotion of our wondrous native flora.

Concurrent Session #3 3-3:50 p.m.

Native Plants in Your Garden: Lessons Nature and Culture: C. Colston Burrell

from

3-3:50 p.m.

3-3:50 p.m.

Bibb County Glades: Alabama’s Botanical Lost World: Tom Diggs, Ph.D.

8:45 a.m.

Nature Inspired: Biomimicry and its Application in the Constructed Landscape:

Using examples from his book, The Forest Unseen, Haskell will discuss how an understanding of the past can help us see the forest in richer ways and how evolutionary forces have shaped plants and other species.

In addition, he will articulate how an evolutionary view of life might promote more principled relationships with other species, grounding us with an ethic of belonging.

Arnie Rutkis

Concurrent Session #4 4-4:50 p.m.

Ferns: From Relicts To Curiosities To Appreciated Anew: Dan Jones, Ph.D.

4-4:50 p.m.

Bees, Native Plants and History: Sallie Lee

4-4:50 p.m.

Alabama Birds, Their Habitats and Our Common Future: Greg Harbor

Field Trips - 1-5 p.m. Limited to 25 each.

Never Enough Natives: An In-depth Look at the Native Plant Collections of Birmingham Botanical Gardens: John Manion

Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve: A Birmingham Treasure: Henry Hughes ADJOURN FOR DINNER ON YOUR OWN 6-7:30 p.m.

An Evening with William Bartram

Invoking the spirit of the early plant explorer William Bartram, Hall offers an introduction, a show of specimens that Bartram collected, and a discussion of his 1775 visit to Alabama, including readings from his popular book, Travels. “Mr. Bartram” then departs and Hall answers questions about the famous botanist. Also: Meet & Greet Conference Speakers / Book Sales & Signing / Wine / Beer / Snacks

S a t u r day , N ov e m b e r 2

Plenary Session: Humans and the Forest through an Evolutionary Lens: David G. Haskell, Ph.D.

9:45 a.m.

Break

10 a.m.

Plenary Session: The Glossy Age of Botany: Disassembling the Green Blob: Chris Martine, Ph.D.

Botanical awareness is in precipitous decline and universities have cut back botany programs. The public, instead of recognizing diverse and beautiful plants, sees only nondescript green blobs separate from their own day-to-day experiences. Changing this paradigm is possible, but traditional botanical education requires a reboot. Ideally, awareness starts in our own “backyards,” where connections between humans and plants and ecosystems close at hand can be reestablished.

11 a.m.

Plenary Session: Southeastern Plant Conservation: Challenges, Hopes and Light on the Horizon: Bob Boyd, Ph.D.

Our high plant diversity in the Southeast faces various conservation challenges. Boyd will describe some of these challenges and will point to developments by individuals, groups, organizations and government agencies that show how progress is being made to protect our plant biodiversity. Exciting projects of the Alabama Plant Conservation Alliance will be profiled to illustrate the bright light on the horizon.

Noon

Lunch

Concurrent Session #2 2-2:50 p.m.

Native Trees in Our Cultural Landscapes: Henry Hughes

2-2:50 p.m.

Ferns: From Relicts To Curiosities To Appreciated Anew: Dan Jones, Ph.D.

2-2:50 p.m.

Ethnobotany: Plants, People, Purpose: Drew Monthie

Concurrent Session #3 3-3:50 p.m.

Tutwiler’s Spleenwort: Alabama’s Rare Botanical Treasure: Hunter McBrayer

3-3:50 p.m.

Native Trees in Our Cultural Landscapes: Henry Hughes

3-3:50 p.m.

Bees, Native Plants and History: Sallie Lee

Concurrent Session #4 4-4:50 p.m.

Southeasternflora.com - a Practical Resource for Native Plant Identification: John Gwaltney

4-4:50 p.m.

Good Things from the South: Fred Spicer

4-4:50 p.m.

Ethnobotany: Plants, People, Purpose: Drew Monthie

Field Trips - 1-5 p.m. Limited to 25 each.

Hoover’s Hidden Gem: Moss Rock Preserve: Arnie Rutkis Bibb County Glades: a Botanical Wonder: Tom Diggs, Ph.D. Longleaf Pine Restoration at Oak Mountain State Park: Scot Duncan, Ph.D.