Session B (2:45 pm – 4:00 pm)
Ecological Regions and Natural Communities of Virginia Moderator: The Honorable Doug Domenech, Secretary of Natural Resources
Presenter: Gary Fleming, Vegetation Ecologist, DCR
From the Atlantic coast to the spruce-fir forests at more than 5,700 feet elevation on Mount Rogers, the landscape of Virginia encompasses an extraordinary range of landforms, topography, and biological habitats. "The Ecological Regions and Natural Communities of Virginia," will explore the large-scale environmental and biotic gradients that influence Virginia, and present an overview of the natural features and communities in each of the five physiographic provinces that intersect the state. The status of natural area protection in these regions, as well as some of the management issues that natural area land managers deal with regularly, will also be addressed.
Session C (4:15 pm – 5:30 pm)
The Flora of Virginia: A Modern Manual to All Native and Naturalized Plants of the Commonwealth Moderator: Gerald P. McGarthy, Executive Director, Virginia Environmental Endowment
Presenter: Chris Ludwig, Chief Biologist, DCR-Natural Heritage Division and co-author, Flora of Virginia
Work to complete the 2012 Flora of Virginia began when the foundation for the Flora of Virginia was established in 2001. This talk will chronicle the manual’s development as well as provide the audience with an author’s guide to using the 1554-page book. If time allows, we will talk about future projects for the Virginia Flora Foundation. If you have one, bring your copy of the manual.
Sessions D and E (10:00 am – 12:00 pm)
A Walk to the River - Local Flora (Field Trip) Guides:
- Chris Ludwig, Chief Biologist, DCR-Natural Heritage Division and co-author, Flora of Virginia
- Gary Fleming, Vegetation Ecologist, DCR
- Peggy Dyson-Cobb, Virginia Master Naturalist and Virginia Native Plant Society
- Philip Coulling, Executive Director, Nature Camp, Vesuvius
- Laura Neale, Chair of Board, Wilderness of Virginia
Virginia Military Institute and Washington & Lee University share adjacent back campuses with trails that wind back and forth down to the Maury River. This area features a combination of rich, moist bottomland and drier north-facing hillside. A tall mostly deciduous canopy provides an array of microclimates in which a substantial number of wildflower species thrive. Early-flowering species include hepatica, bloodroot, spring beauty, toothwort, and twinleaf. Later blooming treasures include jack-in-the-pulpit, trout lily, blue and black cohosh, geranium, phlox, may apple, Solomon’s seal, bellwort, golden alexander, and more. We’ll be sure to share one of the most remarkable expanses of jeffersonia that you’re ever likely to see.
Session G (3:30 pm – 4:45 pm)
Ecology and Collaboration
Moderator: Robert Humston, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Biology, Washington and Lee University
- Working Together for Climate, Environment, and Readiness in VA: CLEAR Action Plan*—Rebecca Rubin, President, Marstel-Day, LLC
- Saving Pleasure House Point: A Success Story in Urban Land Conservation*—Chris Moore, Hampton Roads Senior Scientist, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
- Connecting Bay Bottom to Coastal Policy Decisions*—Paul Jasinski, President, Chesapeake Environmental Communication and Mark Bryer, Chesapeake Bay Program Director, The Nature Conservancy
- Sediment Restoration Involving a Combination of Dredging, Capping and Wetland Creation at Money Point in Chesapeake, Virginia*—Jack Moore, Program Manager, AECOM Technical Services, Inc.
Session H (8:30 am – 9:30 am)
Flora of Virginia
Moderator: COL Keith Gibson, Director, VMI Museum System
Presenter: Richard Cheatham, Independent Scholar, Journalist, and Historical Interpreter, Living History Associates
Learn about the creation of Flora Virginica as Richard Cheatham portrays John Clayton, who played an instrumental role in its creation. Hear reflections on becoming John Clayton and the Flora of Virginia.
Session I (9:45 am – 10:45 pm)
LiDAR Mapping and Living Shorelines
Moderator: TBA
- Sea level rise and adaptation strategies for Tidewater Virginia - Molly Mitchell, Marine Scientist Supervisor, Virginia Institute of Marine Science
- Meeting the Need for High Quality Elevation and Terrain Data in Virginia - John Scrivani, Geospatial Projects Manager, Virginia Information Technologies Agency
*Paper Presentation
(S) Speed Presentation