Speakers Bureau

Members of our board of directors are available to address groups interested in learning more about North Carolina's 419 imperiled plant species and efforts made for their conservation for now and for the future.  Related topics are also available.

Most speakers do not charge a fee but reimbursement for any travel expenses is appreciated, and donations to Friends of Plant Conservation are always welcome.  If a presentation involves more than 25 miles travel or an overnight, a speaker may ask for a fee--that is negotiable between you and the speaker.

To request a speaker, click on the "Request a Speaker" button at the bottom of the list.
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PROGRAMS AVAILABLE

ALVIN BRASWELL - Retired from NC Museum of Natural History     TRIANGLE 
                             Two-by-Two: A Plan for Conserving NCs imperiled plant species.  The story of the effort in North  Carolina to keep 419 endangered and threatened plant species from extinction
                             Plant and Animal Communities
                             Maintaining Ecosystem Health

                                  
CARRIE DE JACO - professor of biology at Pfeiffer College.   SOUTHERN PIEDMONT
                             Invasive Plants— what are some of the more common invasive plants in our area, how did they get here, and why are they a problem.
                             Reconciliation Ecology— what individuals can do in their own yards to increase biodiversity and ecosystem function
                             Climate Change— what is it, how we expect it to affect people and nature
                             Drought or Deluge— water, us, and Mother Nature
                             Landscaping with Native Plants
                             Two-By-Two: A Plan for Conserving NCs imperiled plant species.  The story of the effort in North  Carolina to keep 419 endangered and threatened plant species from extinction

ROBERT PEET -  Recently retired from UNCCH.  Can speak on many topics, including      TRIANGLE
                             The natural vegetation of North Carolina (or the Southeast)   
                             The biogeography and history of the flora of North Carolina
                             ​Two-by-Two: A Plan for Conserving NCs imperiled plant species.  The story of the effort in North Carolina to keep 419 endangered and threatened plant species from extinction

​KATHERINE SCHLOSSER - past FOPC Chair, past chair NC Plant Conservation Board, author, lecturer    STATEWIDE
                             Ten Mistakes I'd Like to Take Back: non-native invasive plant species and their potential for  damage to our native fields, forests, and wildlife.
                             Two-by-Two: A Plan for Conserving NCs imperiled plant species.  The story of the effort in North Carolina to keep 419 endangered and threatened plant species from extinction
                             Planting Alternatives to Imperiled Species in your Garden – Some imperiled species are quite attractive.  Unfortunately, that makes them a target for gardeners.  Instead, there are also very close look-alikes that you can keep in your garden without impacting the precarious status of endangered, threatened and special concern species.  We take a look at a number of those alternatives.
                             Environmental Stewardship and Native Plants of the [your section of the state] - “God Almighty first planted a garden,” said Francis Bacon in 1625. We still plant and lovingly tend gardens and natural areas. Following nature’s lead, we can garden in ways that have less negative  impact on the environment, are sustainable, and still give us great pleasure.
                             Myth and Mystery of the GreenMan© – The cycle of life, death, and rebirth represented by the GreenMan. Found in ancient churches and cultures of many years past, the GreenMan persists today in our imagination, architecture—and even in breweries! The story of the GreenMan and his influence.
                             Wildlife and Imperiled Plant Species - the elements of a diverse and healthy ecosystem.

REQUEST A SPEAKER

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Rare Plants

Topics range from individual species to a more general talk on the 421 species listed as Endangered, Threatened, or Special Concern in North Carolina.

Preserves and Habitats

Geology, soil, altitude...all contribute to the biodiversity of a particular site.  Talks in this section address one or more of these subjects as it relates to plant conservation.

Wildlife & Pollinators

A healthy ecosystem depends on wildlife diversity as well as plant diversity.  Topics range from amphibians to megaherbivores. 

Invasive Species

Bradford pear trees and some other garden favorites often escape into neighbors yards, natural areas, or seed is dispersed by birds, animals or wind longer distances.  There are look-alike alternatives for most that you can use!