(VA) (Virginia Native Plant Society) We rely on plants for food, shelter, and many other functions. We learn early that they convert sunlight to energy, but we often remain largely “plant blind”, allowing them to form a backdrop for our lives with little understanding or appreciation. This program will lead us on a journey to consider research and discussions over the last fifty years that have sometimes tried to assign plants human qualities, but have also discovered many things plants do that redefine what they are.

Charles Smith is an ecologist and native of Arlington, VA with 33 years of experience in natural resource inventory, planning, management and monitoring.