The Virginia Natural History Society’s symposium on the “Historical Explorations into Virginia’s Natural history” was a big success!  The new Virginia Museum of Natural History in Martinsville provided the perfect venue for the 60 people who attended the symposium.  Talks began at 8:30 and ended twelve hours later with our co-founders Dr. Richard Hoffman’s keynote address, "Nature, Natural History, and Naturalists in Virginia Since 1927, a Personal Evaluation".  Talks ranged from Thomas Jefferson’s contributions to recently discovered mussel biology to botanical work done nearly 400 years ago.  Work is now under way to publish the presentations..

Many thanks to all of the people who helped organize the symposium:
Program Committee Members:
Richard Hoffman, Barry Knisley, Michael Kosztarab, Joe Mitchell, Steve Roble, and John White. 

Special thanks to our fabulous presenters:
Barbara J. Abraham, William Sinclair Henika, Eric Hilton, John R. Holsinger, David Johnston, Jess Jones, Michael Kosztarab, Joe Mitchell, Bob Rose, Lucia "Cinder" Stanton, Lauck W. Ward, Donna Ware, Judith E. Winston and Terry Yemm.

Sponsors:
Virginia Museum of Natural History
Virginia Herpetological Society
Virginia Native Plant Society
Virginia Academy of Science

Many thanks to Beckie Smith and Bill Shear who took care of the mail in registrations; Carolyn Seay of the Virginia Museum of Natural History; Lynn Pritchett a Master Naturalist volunteer who was in charge of the registration table during the event; and Dutch Inn who catered the symposium.

Tom McAvoy, Program Coordinator

Photos: Click to enlarge.

Donna Ware Joe Mitchell Judy Winston Lauck Ward Richard Hoffman Steve Roble William Henika

 

Michael & Matilda Kosztarab

 

Event photos, compliments of Lynn Ferguson & Joe Mitchell