Join Kaskasvia Valley Audubon Society for a visit with one of Illinois’ most expert botanists.

Mr. McClain will introduce us to Limestone prairies, some of which occur in neighboring Monroe County. He will distinguish them from the true glades of the near southeast U.S., based on moisture, degree of slope, and types of plant communities.

While his personal interests include environmental history, prairie and forest ecology, and rare plants, Mr. McClain’s recent work is directed toward documenting the composition of various plant communities and reviewing the status of rare plant genera.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in botany from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston and a master’s degree in botany from Miami University Ohio. He has also taught high school biology and served as a botanist for a consulting company, but dedicated the majority of his career to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. After his recent retirement, he has served as an adjunct research associate in botany with the Illinois State Museum.

This event is co-sponsored by the SWIC Biology Department and Math and Sciences Division.