Western New Mexico University To Host 7th Natural History of the Gila Symposium

The 7th Natural History of the Gila Symposium at Western New Mexico University is a venue for scientists, such as the student pictured here, and citizens to share information and ideas gathered from the Gila region.

© Western New Mexico University

The 7th Natural History of the Gila Symposium is Feb. 22-24, 2018, on the Western New Mexico University Campus (1000 W. College Ave.) in Silver City. The symposium’s 41 presentations and three field trips are free to attend.

Presented by scientists and conservationists, the talks will highlight research done on the Gila Region, land management and policy in this area, and education in southwest New Mexico and southeast Arizona, while the field trips will focus on archaeology, geology and ethnobotany.

Garrett VeneKlasen of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation will give a keynote presentation in the Besse-Forward Global Resource Center auditorium on Thursday afternoon, and Friday morning’s keynote is by Dr. Esteban H. Muldavin, who is Director of the New Mexico Natural Heritage Program.

Seven authors, including Western New Mexico University Professor Emeritus Sharman Russell, will do readings during a Creative Voice session from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 22, in Miller Library.

In the Besse-Forward Global Resource Center auditorium on Friday morning, Western New Mexico University biology professor Dr. Randy Jennings will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement award during the symposium. Dr. Jennings has conducted research in the Gila for the past 30 years and will retire from Western New Mexico University this year after 25 years of service.

On Saturday morning, Western New Mexico University assistant professor of geology and GIS Corrie Neighbors and retired professional geologist David Menzie will lead the geology field trip to Boston Hill Open Space, where participants can review local rocks, minerals and fossils. Participants should meet in the parking lot of the Fine Arts Center Theatre at 8:30 a.m.

Dr. Richard Felger will lead Saturday’s trip about the natural history and ethnobotany of plants – from giant sequoia to native ocotillos and agaves – on the Western New Mexico University campus. The walk starts in front of the Besse-Forward Global Resource Center at 8:30 a.m.

An afternoon hike from La Capilla to the intersection of Bullard and College streets will give “History and Hydrology of the Big Ditch and Urban Storm Water” field trip participants a chance to learn about past and current hydrological research related to urban stormwater. Participants should meet in the parking lot of the Fine Arts Center Theatre at 1 p.m. Saturday.

The biennial Natural History of the Gila Symposium provides a venue to meet and share information and ideas about the Gila region. Details about each presentation and field trip are available at gilasymposium.org.

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