In recognition of Earth Day on April 22, Chatham Community Library will host, "Discovering Your Own Backyard: A Brief Guide into North Carolina's Natural World" with  Alexis Longmire, on Thursday, April 13, from 6:30-8:00 pm in the Holmes Family Meeting Room.

As North Carolina inhabitants, we are all familiar with the iconic flora and fauna of our state: black bears, loblolly pines, white-tailed deer, bass, and more. However, many underestimate the true uniqueness of NC, which some have claimed to be the most biodiverse state in the country. From the caves and old-growth forests of our mountains to the fire-dependent prairies and woods of the piedmont and even to the carnivorous plant bogs and beaches of our beloved coast, come learn about NC’s amazing natural world and how we can better live within it. 

Longmire is a 2^nd year PhD student in ecology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She currently researches estuarine ecology off the coast of NC, specifically looking at juvenile marine animal habitats and marine landscape patterns. She received her Bachelor's in marine science and biology from the University of Alabama, where she also aided in researching the effects of damming on freshwater communities and the behavioral ecology of an important mangrove fish species. She also did a brief stint in South Dakota working with fisheries scientists but is originally from East Tennessee.

This program is free and open to the public and made possible with the generous support of the Friends of the Chatham Community Library.