WVU Core Arboretum Nature Connection Series
Local and regional experts on a variety of nature-related subjects give public talks at the Arboretum each summer as part of our WVU Core Arboretum Nature Connection Series. Nature Connection Series talks happen on Tuesday evenings at 6:00 at the WVU Core Arboretum Amphitheater, starting in early June and continuing through late August. These talks are free and open to the public, and no registration is required. All of the talks are outdoors, so please dress for the weather. Talks will be cancelled and rescheduled if the weather is inclement. Come and join the WVU Core Arboretum nature connection crew!
2026 Calendar of Speakers and Talks:
June 16:
Eric Hileman, WVU Wildlife and Fisheries Resources, Assistant Professor:
The ecology of the unseen: Vital rates, population dynamics, and the science of studying unobserved processes
June 23:
Joey Herron, Herron Birding, Birding Researcher, Educator, and Promoter:
West “Bird” Virginia: Highlighting the uniqueness of our birds and some rarities that we can find from time to time
June 30:
Michelle Fonda, WV Division of Natural Resources, Private Lands and Invasive Species Biologist:
Creating backyard habitat: West Virginia Wild Yards
July 7:
Brent Murry, WVU Wildlife and Fisheries Resources, Associate Professor:
Generational paradigm shifts in natural resource management: Continued evolution of conservation in the Anthropocene
July 14:
Kevin Barry, WVU Department of Biology, Teaching Associate Professor:
There’s an app for that?: Community science and engaging with nature
July 21:
John Anderson, WVU Health Affairs Institute, Research Associate, and Mountaineer Audubon, Treasurer:
Behind the binoculars: Mental health benefits of bird watching
July 28:
Amanda Pitzer, Friends of the Cheat, Executive Director:
With a little help from its Friends: The fall and rise of the Cheat River
August 4:
David Carroll, Virginia Tech Department of Geography, Senior Instructor:
Weather observations from the West Virginia high country
August 11:
Andrew Moore, Author:
The Beasts of the East: The fall and rise of America’s eastern wilderness
August 18:
Max Dubansky, Backbone Food Farm, Owner, Farmer, Mushroom Expert:
Wild mushrooms of wild wonderful West Virginia
August 25:
Krista Noe, WV Division of Natural Resources Natural Heritage Program, Ecologist:
Exploring the world of West Virginia fireflies
WVU Core Arboretum Nature Connection Series is supported by the WVU
Department of Biology, the WVU Core Arboretum Endowment, and donations from
the public. All speakers are volunteers. Thank you to all who support the mission
of WVU Core Arboretum!