Earl Ijames, Curator of African American History and Agriculture at the North Carolina Museum of History, Kevin Melvin, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer of The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, will explore the history of Sherman’s March (Anson/ Richmond Counties) to April 1865 (Historic Bennett Place), including the impact on people, environment, and economy of the region.

The longleaf pine ecosystem is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot, hosting an amazing diversity of plants and animals including many found nowhere else on earth. However, we have lost the majority of this ecosystem to development, land conversion and fire suppression. In this talk, Michael Kunz, Director of Conservation Programs at the North Carolina Botanical Garden, will share some of the ways the Garden is involved in the conservation this regions’ unique flora through our science and restoration efforts. Throughout this talk, he will discuss challenges and opportunities for longleaf in NC and beyond.