Faculty and students in the mathematical and natural sciences department at Bluffton University will explore “Bluffton, Nature and the Preserve: Past and Present” from 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 13, at the Bluffton University Nature Preserve’s Moyer Nature Center.

Open to the public, this event will feature a presentation by Katelyn Amstutz, a senior biology major who completed a departmental honors project of Bluffton’s herbarium.

Amstutz digitized several hundred dried plant specimens from the herbarium. Specimens were first collected in the late 1800s by President Noah C. Hirschy and later by biologist M’Della Moon, among others. Several samples will be on display.

Following Amstutz’s presentation, Bob Antibus, emeritus professor of biology, will present on the history and ecology of the Nature Preserve. He will display fresh specimens of native and invasive species and will discuss differing perspectives of conservation and preservation.

The Moyer Nature Center is located between the Nature Preserve pond and the central parking area off of Augsburger Road.