COLUMBUS, OH–Clovers, climate change, rare plant finds and prairie fens are some of the topics to be discussed on Friday, March 25, during the 11th Annual Ohio Botanical Symposium, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

Presented by ODNR’s Division of Wildlife, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, The Nature Conservancy and The Ohio State University Herbarium, the day-long event will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Villa Milano, which is located at 1630 Schrock Road in north Columbus.

This year’s keynote speaker, Dr. David Karowe of Western Michigan University, will talk about current evidence supporting climate change and what it means for plants in North America, the Midwest and Great Lakes. Other featured speakers include Dr. Tim Walters of the Ohio Rare Plant Advisory Committee, Dr. Mike Vincent of Miami University, Dave Parshall from the Ohio Lepidopterists, Dr. Theresa Culley of University of Cincinnati, Dr. David Johnson of Ohio Wesleyan University, and Tim Snyder, retired district preserve manager with the Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves.

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

The $30 attendance fee includes conference materials, continental breakfast, buffet lunch and break refreshments. Registrations will be accepted until March 21. For registration forms and more details, visit wildohio.com, click on “Wild Resources” and follow the Ohio Botanical Symposium registration link, or contact Rick Gardner at (614) 265-6419.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR Web site at www.ohiodnr.com.

For more information, contact:
Rick Gardner, ODNR Division of Wildlife
614. 265. 6419
Heidi Hetzel-Evans, ODNR Media Relations
614. 265. 6860