RADFORD -- Radford University will host its Third Annual Wetland Symposium on Wednesday, April 23 from 5:30 - 9 p.m. in Hurlburt Hall’s Auditorium. The symposium is a part of a National Science Foundation course, curriculum and laboratory improvement grant.

The symposium’s keynote speaker is Curtis Richardson, Ph.D., a science advisor to the USAID efforts to restore the marshes in Iraq. He has made two post-invasion trips to Iraq and also conducted a training session in Jordan for Iraqi scientists. His research focuses on wetland restoration and its effects on regional water quality and nutrient biogeochemical cycles in the Mesopotamian marshes of Iraq in addition to wetland research in the Everglades.

In addition to the keynote presentation at 5:30 pm, Radford University students will present their scientific research about wetland conservation. The oral presentations will be followed by a reception and poster session in Cook Hall, room 107, from 8 – 9 pm.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact RU chemistry assistant professor Joseph Wirgau at jiwirgau@radford.edu.