About this Event
Location: New Hanover County Arboretum Education Center (6206 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, NC)
Date & Time: November 6, 2026 | 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Join ethnobiologist Marc Williams for a two-part exploration of plant family patterns common to the Southeastern US. Hundreds of thousands of plant species are known to science, organized into over 400 plant families. Once you learn to recognize the top 30 or so flowering plant families around you, you'll begin spotting them everywhere. We'll start indoors with a presentation on the major plant groups of the Southeast, covering trends in leaf, flower, and fruit types along with their ecosystem services and ethnobotanical uses. Then we'll head outside for a guided plant walk through the Arboretum gardens to reinforce those identification skills in the field, observing the same plant families up close. Together, the talk and walk will give participants a comprehensive, hands-on understanding of the major botanical groups of Southern US flora and their connection to the broader web of life.
Meet Marc Williams
Ethnobiologist marc williams has taught hundreds of classes to thousands of people about plants, humans, other life forms and their interface. His training includes a B.A. in Environmental Studies/Sustainable Agriculture from Warren Wilson College with a minor in Business and a M.A. in Appalachian Studies/Sustainable Development from Appalachian State University with a minor in Planning/Geography. He has over 25 years of experiences working at various restaurants, farms, and travels throughout 31 countries in Central/North/South America, Europe and all 50 states in the USA. More information can be found at www.botanyeveryday.com and www.plantsandhealers.org.
N.C. Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity provider.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, NC State University will honor requests for reasonable accommodations made by individuals with disabilities. Please direct accommodation requests to: Gabriella de Souza, [email protected]. Requests can be served more effectively if notice is provided at least 15 days before the event
Event venue & nearby stays
N.C. Cooperative Extension, New Hanover County Center, 6206 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, United States
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