LECTURES

Bryan Connolly, Massachusetts State Botanist. From its calcareous cobbles to its coastal plains, Massachusetts has a broad diversity of eco-regions and is home to 1,814 species of native plants. Of these, 254 (or 14%) are vulnerable to extinction and protected by the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. Even more are species of conservation concern. Tonight, we get a valuable overview of these many vulnerable plants and the threats they face. We have significant challenges ahead of us if we are to ensure their survival. Bryan Connolly is the State Botanist for the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program.