Eastern Washington Natural Areas - Hotspots of Floral Diversity -

1. Eastern Washington Natural Areas - Hotspots of Floral Diversity - This talk will focus on the floral diversity within the system of state-managed natural areas in eastern Washington. Given their relatively small size, these sites contain a surprisingly large proportion of the native flora of the region, including a number of local and regional endemics. The basic ecology of eastern WA ecoregions and some of the important conservation issues of the region will also be discussed. And, you'll get a chance to escape the winter gloom through a virtual tour of sunny, spring-time eastern Washington. David Wilderman, Program Ecologist for the Natural Areas Program of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources has worked as a botanist and ecologist in eastern WA, western Oregon and western WA since 1989, including 17 years with the Washington Natural Areas Program.  Primary interests are restoration ecology, rare plants, rare butterflies, and fire ecology. A graduate student collects data on Whited’s milkvetch (Astragalus sinuatus), an endangered native plant at Upper Dry Gulch NAP (Photo: Washington State DNR) A presentation by David Wilderman Monday, January 14th 7:00 PM Washington State Capital MuseumCoach House 211 SW 21st Avenue; Olympia, WA Sponsored by the South Sound Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society See www.southsoundchapterwnps.org for more info