David Patrick, the Nature Conservancy director of Conservation in New Hampshire, will talk about wetland ecosystems today, aug. 18, at 7 p.m. at the Pine Bush discovery Center.

Wetlands represent some of the most threatened ecosystems in the United States. While wetland loss and degradation continues now, the roots of these changes can be traced back to the arrival of European settlers on the continent and the subsequent expansion of agriculture. This long history of loss and alteration presents a challenge for those seeking to conserve and restore wetlands, like those found in the globally rare Albany Pine Bush Preserve.

Patrick will demonstrate how his research of wetland communities in the Adirondack Park provides an opportunity to assess how wetland biodiversity functions across a largely intact wetland landscape and how we can use this information as a baseline to inform restoration efforts.

Science Lecture Series programs are free and open to the public.  This program is recommended for listeners ages 15 and older.  Pre-registration is required for all programs. The Discovery Center is located at 195 New Karner Road. To sign up, go online to www.AlbanyPineBush.org/events or call (518) 456-0655.