Sep 13

Geobotany and why Geology is important to native plant communities

This is an elective course and provides 4 hours toward the completion of the Certificate in Native Plants program.
You do not need to be pursuing the Certificate to enroll in this class.

Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center
400 Garden Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37419
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Sep 13, 2025 09:00am ET - Sep 13, 2025 12:30pm ET

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$40.00 - $50.00

SEE FULL CLASS DETAILS BELOW

Class Description:

If you have taken our Plant Communities core class, you touched on how geology and geography affect native plant communities. This elective class will focus in on these factors. Geobotany is the study of how plants, their variations, and their distribution are influenced by geological factors like rock type, soil composition, and topography. Geology, in turn, provides the substrate and environmental conditions that plants inhabit, impacting their growth, survival, and distribution.

PLEASE NOTE:

This class will have both in and outdoor components, please dress for the weather of the day.

What to bring with you:

Bring with you any note taking needs, water, snacks, etc.

Registration Policy:

As with all CNP classes, class size is limited. To give everyone the best opportunity to participate, there is a non-refundable cancellation fee of $10, with the balance refunded if you cancel at least 7 calendar days before the class will be held. If the class is cancelled by the instructor or the CNP program, registrants will get a full refund.

Instructor: Jay Clark

Elbert "Jay" Clark holds a B.A. in Geology and M.E. in combined sciences with teacher certification in physics, chemistry, biology, geology and mathematics. He has received grants for work in paleoecology and modern ecology. He was also a Distinguished Military Graduate and was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army. Jay taught geology laboratory at UTC and is a retired science teacher, having taught life science, biology, geology, and physical sciences. After retirement, he worked in field archeology with Jacksonville State University and presently volunteers with the Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources working on various wildlife habitat management projects as well as tracking protected plants of northwest Georgia.

He is a member of the Georgia Botanical Society, the Walker County Historical Society, the Central States Archeological Society, and the Georgia Wildlife Federation (an affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation).

Jay is the published author of Wildflowers of Pigeon Mountain- including Lookout Mountain, Cloudland Canyon State Park, and Chickamauga National Military Park in northwest Georgia, and participants will receive a copy of his book.