Runkle Woods Symposium a virtual treasure chest of research and information about Wright State’s forest

The Runkle Woods Symposium features nearly 20 research presentations available on CORE Scholar.

The Wright State University woods is 225 acres of forest that is home to up to 110 species of birds as well as foxes, coyotes, deer, salamanders and the rare Indiana bat.

The third annual Wright State Runkle Woods Symposium is an opportunity to explore the woods with faculty, staff and students from the College of Science and Mathematics and the College of Liberal Arts who are involved in research and creative projects.

This year, videos and downloads allow remote participants a chance to learn about the Wright State woods from the comfort of their own homes. Named for James Runkle, professor emeritus of biological sciences, the Runkle Woods Symposium is available on CORE Scholar.

“From bats to wildflowers, conservation to water quality, we stroll along the path and meet Burley, the towering bur oak and the oldest inhabitant of our forest,” said organizer Audrey McGowin, professor and interim chair of the Department of Chemistry.

The keynote presentation is titled “Archaeology in the Wright State University Woods” and is presented by Lance Greene, associate professor of anthropology, and Bryan Beverly, senior digital technology analyst and project manager in the Center for Teaching and Learning.

“They give historical context to the land in and around the university woods, including prehistoric and historic sites and artifacts,” said McGowin.

It is one of nearly 20 presentations involving scientific research, natural history, archeology, poetry and literature.