The 7th annual Ohio Natural History Conference will take place on February 19th, 2011 at Big Walnut High School, 555 South Old 3C Road, Sunbury,Ohio, 43074. Directions are given below.

Encompassing the broad range of topics inherent in the term "natural history," the conference includes short papers in areas such as biodiversity, field biology, systematics and related areas. Individuals interested in applying for the opportunity to give a 15-20 minute oral presentation or to present a poster at the Ohio Natural History Conference should submit an abstract of no more than 250 words and a brief biographical sketch for all authors by e-mail to info@ohiobiologicalsurvey.org , or by mail to the address above by December 10th, 2011. Please note that this is a strict deadline, and we will be unable to accept submissions after that date for oral presentations, and any submission after then will be considered only for a poster. From the submitted abstracts for oral presentations, eight (8) will be selected by the Conference Committee for inclusion in the Conference. All applicants will be notified by December 20th of the Committee's decisions, and a conference agenda will be available shortly thereafter. Submissions for poster presentations will be accepted through January 28th, 2011.

We are pleased to announce our keynote speaker, Evan Blumer, former Director of The Wilds. He will be speaking on Conservation efforts of the Wilds, with implications for global species preservation, and conservation of Ohio Grassland ecosystems. Refreshments and social time will begin at9:00, and the keynote presentation will commence at 10 AM. Registration fees are $20, or $10 for students. A special fee of $5 will be offered to students of Big Walnut High School. On-site registration fees will be an additional $5 per registration ($25, or $15 for students). The Conference concludes at 4 PM.

Schedule: Saturday, February 19, 2011 at Big Walnut High School

9-9:45 Refreshments and Registration; set up posters

9:45 Welcome (auditorium)

10:00 Keynote presentation: Evan Blumer

11:00 Paper presentations begin (Auditorium)

12:00 Award presentations

12:15 Lunch on your own

1:30 Poster presentations with author(s) in attendance

2:00 Paper presentations resume (Auditorium)

3:00 Break (15 minutes)

3:15 Paper presentations resume (Auditorium)

3:55 Closing remarks

4:00 Adjournment

Registration: $ 10 for students, $ 20 for non-students

Registration deadline is February 10th 2011.

For a Registration form, or if you would like additional information, please call the Survey (614-457-8787) or e-mailinfo@ohiobiologicalsurvey.org .

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Directions to Big Walnut High School: From Columbus and points south, take I-71 north to the US-36/OH-37 exit toward Delaware/Sunbury. Head east toward Sunbury, and turn right, or south on S. Columbus Street (Old 3C Road). The high school will be on the left just past town. Park at the main parking lot and enter through the front foyer.

From north of Columbus: If coming south on I-71, exit at US-36/OH-37 and turn east (left), then follow instructions into Sunbury as above. If coming south on US-23, exit to US 36 in downtown Delaware and proceed east on 36, beyond the I-71 interchange, and follow instructions into Sunbury as above.