About the Presentation
Spring ephemeral wildflowers bloom in early spring before the forest canopy leafs out as part of their strategy to capitalize on sunlight availability. They do all of their growing and reproduction during the time when sunlight reaches the forest floor, which is an ingenious survival and reproduction strategy. In the process, they create beautiful landscapes of color that we get to enjoy! This presentation will explore the magical world of spring ephemeral wildflowers, examine their survival and reproductive strategy, and provide tips to identify our most common beauties.
About Your Presenter
Keith Williams is the Vice President of Engagement and Education for Lancaster Conservancy. Keith is an environmental educator, naturalist, writer, and photographer. He has a BS in Environmental Biology from Kutztown University and MS in Ecological Teaching and Learning from the Lesley University Audubon Expedition Institute. Keith was the founding Director of Education and is the past Executive Director of the NorthBay Education Foundation, one of the largest outdoor education programs in the US. He has served on the National Social Emotional Learning in Environmental Education Working Group, was appointed to the Maryland Governors Environmental Literacy Committee, and served on the Board of the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education for 12 years.
About Nature Hour
Nature Hour is a lecture series presented by Lancaster Conservancy, taking place on Thursdays throughout the winter. The one-hour virtual lectures, which include a Q&A with the expert presenter, cover a wide range of conservation, environmental, and nature-related topics impacting our community, region, and world to an audience of all ages of learners.
To find out about other events in the series please follow this link: Nature Hour Collection 2025/2026
To see recordings of past Nature Hour lectures, please visit the Conservancy’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LancasterConservancy
Thank you to our generous sponsor Brookhills Investment Group for making educational programming about Shenks Ferry Wildflower Preserve and the native plants it protects possible.
Thank you to our incredible Annual Sponsors for their generous support!
