The Gila Native Plant Society will meet at 7:00 pm on Friday, January 16, in Room 219 of Harlan Hall on the Western New Mexico University campus.

Richard Felger of the University of Arizona Herbarium and Sky Island Alliance will give a presentation, New Food Crops: Half a Century of Botanical Adventures.

Dr. Felger resides in Silver City where he has studied native food plants in southern New Mexico. He has conducted new crops research in arid lands worldwide and has written or co-authored more than 100 peer-review publications in addition to books and popular writings on topics including new food crops, botany, and ethnobiology. One of his strong interests is addressing agricultural independence for arid regions. His publications are listed on the University of Arizona Herbarium website. A current project involves adapting New Mexico native food crops.

The public is invited to attend free of charge. Refreshments will be served after the program.

The Gila Native Plant Society is committed to promote education, research and appreciation of the native flora of the Southwest, to encourage the preservation of rare and endangered plant species and to support the use of suitable native plants in landscaping. For information on programs, publications and membership, please visit www.gilanps.org.