Botanist's lecture to explore history of northern Ohio's landscape

Ashland University

A presentation by Rick Gardner, chief botanist for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, will focus on Ohio’s natural heritage in the north-central region.

It is the last in the 2015-2016 Ashland University Environmental Lecture Series, with the theme “In Our Own Backyard.”

The event is free and open to all, set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Ronk Lecture Hall, located in Ashland'sDwight Schar College of Education.

Gardner will cover the landscape going back to the 18th century, when European explorers first came to the area, and he will discuss how the Industrial Revolution, Manifest Destiny and other historical shifts impacted the environment in Ohio.
Gardner started finding pleasure in botany in his youth and spent hours studying nature at his grandparents’ farm. Gardner later graduated from Miami University with a bachelor’s of science in botany and began his work in the Natural Heritage Program in Ohio afterward, then spent most of his career in the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves. Gardner has led field trips, offered many lectures and workshops, and led programs tied to botany.