Date: November 17, 2026

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Location: Landrum Library

Speakers: Samantha Tessel, SCDNR Upstate Botanist

South Carolina is home to an incredible diversity of native plants, including many species that are rare, declining, or found only in particular habitats. In this engaging program, SCDNR Upstate Botanist Samantha Tessel will introduce participants to the fascinating world of South Carolina’s native flora and the work being done to understand and conserve our state’s botanical diversity.

Drawing on her experience conducting botanical surveys and documenting rare and tracked plant species, Samantha will share stories from the field and explore how botanists identify, document, and monitor plant populations. Participants will gain a greater appreciation for the diversity of plants around us and learn why knowing where plants occur—and understanding the habitats they depend upon—is an important part of conservation.

Samantha Tessel is the Upstate Botanist with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources’ Natural Heritage Trust. Her work focuses on South Carolina’s native and rare plant species, including conducting botanical surveys, evaluating herbarium specimens, documenting plant distributions, and contributing data used to identify and monitor species of conservation concern. She has extensive botanical experience in the Carolinas and has contributed to efforts to better understand the distribution and conservation status of South Carolina’s tracked plant species.

Samantha’s work combines field botany, plant identification, herbarium research, and conservation science to help SCDNR understand and protect the state’s botanical heritage.

The Landrum Library Speaker Series programs are made possible thanks to our partnership with the Spartanburg County Public Libraries.

Contact Pam Torlina, pam@conservingcarolina.org, with questions or for more information.