State of New England's Native Plants: Conservation Opportunities and Challenges, Sat., Nov. 14, 1-3:30 p.m., Providence

New England Wild Flower Society recently released a comprehensive, peer-reviewed report that, for the first time, gathers together the most up-to-date data on the status of plants on the New England landscape. From these data, we can discern increases and declines in both rare and common species across all six states. Dr. Elizabeth Farnsworth will discuss the report findings and discuss the importance of plants and habitats in supporting other organisms and in providing ecosystem services for humans. We identify hotspots of rare plant diversity, and discuss factors that foster this diversity. We document the primary ecological and man-made threats to both rare and common species. We discuss activities and initiatives by New England Wild Flower Society and many organizations in New England to conserve and manage rare plants and habitats throughout the region. This free talk will focus on habitats and plants of Rhode Island.

http://riwps.org/event/general-meeting-guest-speaker-elizabeth-farnsworth

Sat.,Nov. 14. 1-3:30 p.m., Aldrich House, Rhode Island Historical Society , 110 Benevolent Street, Providence, RI, 02906,

Sponsored by the Rhode Island Wild Plant Society, (401) 789-7497, email office@riwps.org