NATIVE PLANT IDENTIFICATION WORKSHOPS PART OF THE ARKANSAS VASCULAR FLORA PROJECT

NATIVE PLANT IDENTIFICATION WORKSHOPS PART OF THE ARKANSAS VASCULAR FLORA PROJECT

Locations: Fayetteville, Jonesboro, Monticello, Arkadelphia, Conway, Russellville

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The opportunity to learn more about plants native to Arkansas will be made available at several locations throughout the state from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 29 through the Arkansas Vascular Flora project.

The members of the Arkansas Vascular Flora Committee will host the half-day workshops to highlight many of the tools and techniques used by botanists to identify plants. Participants will learn:

• How plants are named
• To decipher technical terms
• To identify families of plants
• Ethical collection techniques
• To use keys and a hand-lens
• How to press plants for posterity
• And more.

The cost is $10 per person. Registration will continue until the workshops are full. The program is designed for ages 16 and up. Participants should bring a sack lunch.

The Arkansas Vascular Flora Project is the first attempt to create a comprehensive book-length, fully illustrated manual about the vascular plants of Arkansas.

"The active involvement of amateur botanists in the project is essential to expanding our knowledge of the flora of Arkansas," said Johnnie Gentry. Gentry is the coordinator for the flora project and oversees the University of Arkansas Herbarium.

The Vascular Flora of Arkansas Project is a cooperative effort among botanists, both within and outside of Arkansas

Registration information for the individual locations is as follows:

• Fayetteville (U of A Herbarium)

• Jonesboro (Arkansas State University)

• Monticello (U of A Monticello)

• Arkadelphia (Henderson State University)

• Conway (UCA/Hendrix - to be announced)

• Russellville (Arkansas Tech Universtiy)

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 Dr. Johnnie Gentry, University of Arkansas Herbarium, (479) 575-4372, gentry@uark.edu