This session provides archival instruction covering the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to effectively locate, interpret, and utilize archives, manuscripts, and other unique primary sources housed at the Avery Research Center. Additionally, the session offers an overview of heritage interpretation activities at Avery, including the National Association for Interpretation’s Certified Interpretive Guide training, held twice a year, and the Black and Brown Interpreters Network (BBIN). BBIN is a group of natural and cultural history interpreters and tour guides based in the Lowcountry and beyond, dedicated to education, professional development, and service in heritage interpretation. 

About the Speaker:  

Erica Veal is a historian, heritage interpreter, librarian, editor and the Research Archivist and Interpretation Coordinator at the Avery Research Center for African American History at the College of Charleston. She has been a National Association for Interpretation - Certified Interpretive Guide since 2011 and a Certified Interpretive Trainer since 2021 and has trained over 70 new Certified Interpretive Guides. She is a former Master Naturalist instructor with over 17 years' experience leading cultural and natural history tours across Charleston County and beyond. In her life beyond interpretation, Erica is an organizer with the Lowcountry Action Committee and a gardener who enjoys spending time in nature.   

Join Robin Salmon for a walk through the retrospective - American Animalier:  Anna Hyatt Huntington for an informative and unique visitor experience.  

Fifteen species of bats in our state play an important role in our ecosystem and our economy, yet these unsung heroes are often feared and misunderstood. Join us as Jennifer Kindel, the Statewide Bat Biologist for SCDNR, demystifies these truly fascinating and beneficial flying mammals that call SC home. 

About the Speaker: 

Jennifer Kindel grew up on a farm in Klamath Falls, Oregon, and graduated with a MS in Wildlife Biology from Oregon State University working with Greater Sage-Grouse. For 10 years she contributed to various avian ecology projects around the US and in Western Australia. During her travels, Jen was amazed by the size of some of the world’s largest bats, the flying foxes, and inspired by the sight of thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats filling the evening sky as they emerged from Carlsbad Caverns at sunset. When she moved to SC in 2012, she worked with wading birds, rusty blackbirds and other passerines before moving over to the bat world in 2016 and has enjoyed monitoring these fascinating mammals ever since.  

As the state bat biologist, her main duties are to keep DNR’s Bat Program funded through grants, conduct hibernacula counts and WNS surveillance, survey bats in bridges and culverts, run Northern long-eared bat summer mist netting projects, provide WNS outreach, maintain the SC Bat Conservation and WNS Response Plans, run the SC citizen science program Bat Watch!, and help manage the North American Bat Monitoring (NABat) program in SC - a national effort to collect acoustic bat calls to monitor bats at various habitat scales over time to promote effective bat conservation and management. 

Watching birds: not only fun, but good for you!

Learn why getting your daily dose of Ornitherapy is just what the doctor ordered….

We’re pushed and pulled in many directions, no matter our age. If we allow birds and nature to slow us down, we are practicing a form of “selfcare”. Research shows that exposure to nature actively reduces stress, depression, and anxiety, while helping build a stronger heart and immune system. 

Within the program, we’ll delve into our connections to birds, how to practice Ornitherapy for optimal benefits, and learn about the latest research in the power of nature for overall wellbeing.

Free with Garden Admission

ROSE DUET, 29 x 36 inches by Jane Jones 

Jane Jones has been a life-long student of 17th-century Dutch floral painting. Throughout the process of painting a floral still life, Jane Jones consciously and continually explores the interaction of light with flowers to invest the experience of the moment in each and every painting she creates.

"I have loved and been influenced by the flowers and symbolism of 17th Century Dutch Still Life painting for many years and have worked to figure out and incorporate symbolism into my paintings for a long time.  In the paintings made specifically for this show that symbolism has become more pointed and direct.  This show presents paintings with the ideas of risk and protection but goes further to express my concern and fear about the changes and destruction of this planet due to Climate Change."

-Jane Jones-

Cultivating Dutch Traditions in The 21st Century – Janes Jones’ Hyperrealist Floral Paintings, produced by David J. Wagner, L.L.C., David J. Wagner, Ph.D., Curator/Tour Director. davidjwagnerllc.com

For more information CLICK HERE

The exhibit sponsor is Culture Trove, Inc. – The Traveling Exhibitions Database for Museum Professionals, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Dive into the diverse world of shark teeth! Join Charles Shelton Jr. of Myrtle Beach Shark Teeth and hone your identification skills with hands on practice using shark jaws and teeth. Learn how to tell the difference between a real tooth and shark tooth look-a-likes.  Learn tips on how to hunt for shark's teeth and other fossils the next time you're at the beach. You are invited to bring your own shark teeth for identification. 

About the Speaker: 

Shark Tooth Charles has been hunting teeth for well over 35 years. With a very busy schedule, he always enjoys giving his knowledge and time in workshops and for education. Myrtle Beach Shark Teeth is his pride and joy, where many may know him from. Being at the beach, helping others and educating is his passion.  https://www.myrtlebeachsharkteeth.com/ 

Join us for a discussion with Jonathan Keyser about The Black River Cypress Preserve, a privately-owned nature preserve situated along South Carolina’s Scenic Black River. The preserve, along with its companion property, the Peninsula Tract, are integral conservation projects managed by Butler Conservation. Together, these two areas provide ample opportunities for outdoor activities, learning experiences, and research endeavors within their naturally stunning and diverse ecosystems. 

About the Speaker: 

Some of Jonathan Keyser’s earliest memories are of wandering around in the woods of the Alleghany Highlands of Virginia with his three dogs. He enjoyed exploring the outdoors and climbing as many trees as possible. 

Over the past twenty years, Jonathan has merged his two passions and college majors (History and Horticulture) into his work as a landscape designer and consultant while working on many historic properties. Since 2016, he has been intimately involved with the creation of the Black River Cypress Preserve as project manager and now serves as its executive director. 

Immerse yourself in the beauty and creativity of gardens at the 2025 Garden Symposium: Art in the Gardens on March 15, 2025, at Brookgreen Gardens. This inspiring event features renowned keynote speaker Jay Sifford, an award-winning landscape designer celebrated for his innovative approach to contemporary garden design. The symposium will explore the intersection of art and nature through a series of engaging presentations, including topics such as roses, historical gardens and design, contemporary garden aesthetics, and the museum perspective on garden artistry. The day will conclude with a dynamic panel discussion on The Art of Designing and Maintaining the Garden, featuring experts in horticulture, pest management , plants, and landscape design. Join us for this one-of-a-kind event celebrating the artistry, history, and innovation behind the world’s most extraordinary gardens. Spend the day at beautiful Brookgreen Gardens, exploring sustainable gardening through expert-led presentations, immersive garden tours, and hands-on experiences.

Diversity and Management of Wildlife in the Longleaf Ecosystem

With Lisa Lord

Lisa Lord will discuss the unique wildlife species that call the longleaf ecosystem home, as well as detail their habitat needs and the management practices that enrich both the habitats and the populations that use them. She will feature some of the most rare and iconic species including the gopher tortoise, red-cockaded woodpecker, and Carolina gopher frog

Free with garden admission

Wall Lowcountry Center 

In 2000, historians recognized the loss of a generation of storytellers, prompting the recording of oral history interviews for the book "Pawleys Island, Stories from the Porch," preserving memories for both natives and newcomers. Join Lee Brockington as she presents the updated edition, featuring a refreshed introductory note, island history, nostalgic photos from PICA's collection, and a new cover painting by artist Maura Kenny. This book, by Eugene B. Chase and Lee G. Brockington, offers insights into 200 years of Pawleys Island's history. 

About the Speaker: 

Lee Brockington is a native of Columbia, South Carolina. As a graduate of Columbia College, with a degree in Public Affairs, she “discovered Hobcaw Barony” and its untold stories beyond Bernard Baruch, President Roosevelt, and Winston Churchill. Her interest in women’s history and African American history has spanned her 40-year career in public history, research, and sharing what she’s learned. She retired from Hobcaw in 2020 and continues her work as an author and history consultant.