The Value of Biological Collections and Citizen Science

Speaker: Scott A. Namestnik

Scott Namestnik is the state botanist in the Indiana Department of Natural Resource, Indiana Natural Heritage data center, Division of Nature Preserves. Much of his work involves conducting botanical inventories, assessing sites for protection consideration, and documenting and monitoring occurrences of endangered and threatened species. He has a degree in Botany with a focus in Environmental Science from Miami University and over 25 years of experience with the flora of the Great Lakes region and the Midwestern United States. His written work on flora has appeared in several peer-reviewed journals including The Michigan Botanist, The Great Lakes Botanist, Phytoneuron, Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science, and Rhodora, and he is co-author of Wildflowers of the Midwest (Timber Press) and Wildflowers of the Indiana Dunes National Park (Indiana University Press). He is a board member for NatureCITE, Indiana Native Plant Society (North Chapter) and South Bend-Elkhart Audobon Society, is on the advisory council for Shirley Heinze Land Trust and the planning committee for the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival, and is active with the Indiana Native Plant Society (Journal Team Leader) and the Indiana Academy of Science (member of the Biodiversity and Natural Areas Committee and past Chair of the Plant Systematics and Biodiversity section). Scott is a highly sought after speaker, including as keynote speaker for the 2023 open house of the Friesner Herbarium at Butler University.

Scott Namestnik is the state botanist in the Indiana Department of Natural Resource, Indiana Natural Heritage data center, Division of Nature Preserves. He is involved in the identification, collection of biological samples and collaborations within Indiana and surrounding states. Biological collections underpin basic science discoveries as well as deepen our understanding of many challenges such as global change, biodiversity loss, sustainable food production, ecosystem conservation, and improving human health and security.
Since members of Scientech Club have a diverse scientific background.
Everyone isn’t (and can't be) a biologist but everyone can still play a part in building our understanding through citizen/community science. What better life long learning than getting involve in contributing to citizen science projects. Scott will share his vast knowledge of the flora and fauna of Indiana and suggestions on how members of Scientech Club can get involved as citizen scientists.