Plant Natives 2020! Update
3/12/2020 5:50pm

At this writing, the University of Chattanooga, our event host, has communicated that our Saturday, March 14th event is clear to proceed and they are open. Benjamin Vogt, our Symposium keynote speaker has chosen to not travel, out of concern for his and his family’s health traveling across the country.

Our current plan is to proceed with the Friday dinner and the Saturday Native Plant Marketplace & Expo. We will present the afternoon session of the Saturday Symposium with Philip Juras and Bodie Pennisi.

We will be issuing full refunds to all Symposium registrants, so that the Saturday, March 14th afternoon Symposium presentation becomes an event that is free to attend.  

With regard to the health concerns: UTC is currently on Spring Break so the University Center is clean, has had minimized traffic over the past week, and has added hands-free hand sanitizing stations throughout the facility. In addition, the Wild Ones volunteers who help put on this event are taking the extra precautions recommended by the CDC and local Health Department — regular handwashing and hand sanitizing practices or gloves, and regular disinfecting of hard surfaces. To further minimize risk, we have also cancelled the buffet lunch.

As of today, Hamilton County Officials have not identified any cases of the COVID-19 virus in our area, but you are strongly urged to adhere to safe practices. Please take personal precautions and stay home if you are sick or feel you or your family members are at risk.

We are in contact with local health officials as well as the UTC University Center in case anything changes.  We will post information on this page as additional decisions are made.

Given the magnitude of our task to unwind this large event, we ask your patience as we work with these changes and understand your concerns. We might not be able to answer every email, voicemail or text message in a timely way.

Thank you,
Plant Natives 2020 Symposium Committee