Rare Plants and Unique Natural Areas of Illinois
Rare Plants and Unique Natural Areas of Illinois, Presented by Christopher David Benda
Program description: Illinois has a landscape that has mostly been converted to agriculture and urban areas. Yet within this matrix of development lie pristine natural areas, refuges for rare biota. Join Illinois Native Plant Society President Chris Benda as he presents the many rare plant species known from the numerous and unique natural areas of Illinois.
Christopher David Benda earned his B.S. in Biology from Winona State University in 2002 and an M.S. in Biology from the University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign in 2007. Currently, he is a plant ecologist with the Illinois Natural History Survey. He also teaches local flora at Southern Illinois University and is president of the Illinois Native Plant Society. Chris leads many nature hikes and teaches several botany courses. He can be found online under the moniker "Illinois Botanizer."
