Join Conserving Carolina for a free lecture entitled, “The Identification, Ecology and Management of Medicinal Forest Plants of the Southern Appalachians,” presented by Dr. David Ellum, Dean of Land Resources and Professor of Ecological Forestry at Warren Wilson College, on Saturday, April 13, at 10:30 a.m. at the Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center at Walnut Creek Preserve.  

Forestry is not just about trees. Dr. Ellum has spent his career studying forest ground story plants and their important role in maintaining healthy forest ecosystems. His current research focuses on non-timber forest products, especially the propagation and management of native forest plants of medicinal value. In this presentation Dr. Ellum will explain the ecology of these plants and discuss how their sustainable management can contribute to forest land conservation in the Southern Appalachian region. The program will include live plants for demonstration purposes and an optional walk on the preserve to look at spring ground story plant communities.   

After the presentation, interested participants are invited to join Dr. Ellum for a hike in the Preserve to learn hands on. Please dress appropriately and bring a snack and water for yourself if you plan to talk a walk. 

The lecture is part of Conserving Carolina’s monthly Speaker Series at Walnut Creek Preserve.       

For more information or directions from another location, contact Pam Torlina at Conserving Carolina at 828-697-5777, ext. 300 or email pam@conservingcarolina.org.   

The next program at Walnut Creek Preserve will be held on May 18, when Dennis Chastain, noted naturalist, historian, and outdoor writer, will present “Native American Rock Carvings of the Carolina Mountains.” 

– Submitted by Pam Torlina