Restoring Glades in the Ouachita National Forest

Glades are natural openings in the forest, characterized by thin soils and exposed bedrock, that house a diversity of rare plant and animal species.

Without proper management, however, much of this biodiversity can be lost. The Southern Research Station works with the Ouachita and Ozark-St. Francis National Forests, along with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and other valued partners, to study and conserve these important ecological communities.  Come learn the story of glade restoration happening in Arkansas and why management (especially fire) is essential to maintaining these biodiversity hotspots.

Virginia McDaniel will be our guest speaker

Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 10 am

Ponce at Woodlands
1101 DeSoto Blvd - Hot Springs Village, AR 71909

ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Virginia has been studying fire ecology and botany in the southeastern United States for the last two decades. She began her career with the National Park Service in 1997 at Mammoth Cave NP and joined the Southern Research Station of the US Forest Service in 2006.

She currently lives in Hot Springs AR and has published papers on fire ecology, forestry, and botany. 

She is a certified Ecologist with the Ecological Society of America, Editor of Claytonia – newsletter for the Arkansas Native Plant Society, and recently tried out directing a short film with the Inception to Projection film program.

Virginia McDaniel, M.S. Biology, Forestry Technician/ESA Certified Ecologist, Forest Service - Southern Research Station

Virginia identifies the Wildflowers on Cedar Creek Trail - View the Video