AC2013 to Tackle Conservation Issues

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Indiana Native Plant Conference
Tackles Conservation Issues

What: Indiana Native Plant & Wildflower Society 20th Annual Conference

Theme: “Conservation: Saving Indiana’s Native Plants and Wild Places”

When: Saturday, November 9, 2013; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Where: Monon Community Center, East Building, 1235 Central Park Drive East, Carmel, IN 46032

Who: Open to the public—anyone with an interest in native plants, conservation, botany, landscaping, and wildlife habitat.

Cost: INPAWS members $60 ($50 before November 1); non-members $75 ($65 before November 1); students $35

Sponsorships: Several levels of sponsorship are available. Email sponsor@inpaws.org for details or visit the Annual Conference page on our website

Further Information: Event information is posted here. A downloadable registration brochure and online registration will be available September 15.

Contact: For media questions, contact Wendy Ford at webmaster@inpaws.org or 317-413-5918.


The Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society (INPAWS) announces its 20th annual conference providing the know-how to help Hoosiers appreciate, grow, and conserve Indiana’s rich heritage of native plants.

Set for November 9 at Carmel’s Monon Community Center, the day-long conference will focus on the conservation of Indiana native plants. As the human impact on nature intensifies, it’s clear that more and more species are at risk of extinction. The father of conservation, Aldo Leopold, warns that “To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering.” Could we be losing key species whose importance we don’t even recognize?

The featured speaker is Peter H. Raven, retired director and president-emeritus of the Missouri Botanical Garden. He is one of the world’s leading botanists and advocates of conservation,  biodiversity and a sustainable environment. Described by Time magazine as a “Hero for the Planet,” Raven champions research around the world to preserve endangered plants.

Also on the program are: Carolyn Harstad, founding INPAWS member and author of Go Native!, Got Shade? and Got Sun?; Jeff and Sandy Belth, Sandy on landscaping and gardening for butterflies and Jeff on interactions of butterflies with plants; Mike Jenkins of Purdue on invasives management issues in the Great Smoky Mountains, which are possible future issues for Indiana; Mike Homoya, “Where have all the flowers gone?”; and DNR biologist/administrator Lee Casebere on nature preserves and land protection in Indiana.

The conference will include a book signing and sale, vendor and youth education displays, and information on the Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society.