Henry Callister, a native of the Isle of Man, arrived on the Eastern Shore in 1742, working as a factor for a Liverpool-based trading company. Although most of his days were spent overseeing shipments of tobacco to England and managing the company’s stores on the Shore, his unpublished papers show that one of his many interests was a passion for local natural history. On Fri., Feb. 10, join Salisbury University professor Ellen Lawler at Adkins Arboretum for a discussion of Callister’s nature writings. Lawler’s talk begins at 1 p.m.

Composed of brief descriptions of local birds, mammals, plants and insects, Callister’s writings also include an extended essay on swallows, comparing the species found in Maryland to those of Europe and discussing an ongoing debate of the day—whether swallows migrate or hibernate. Callister’s writings may be among the earliest in Maryland , and demonstrate that he was a keen observer of nature and had ideas well ahead of his time on topics such as the homing abilities of animals and the adaptability of species to different habitats and situations.

The program is $15 for members, $20 for the general public. Register at adkinsarboretum.org, call 410.634.2847, ext. 0, or e-mail info@adkinsarboretum.org.

Adkins Arboretum is a 400-acre native garden and preserve at the headwaters of the Tuckahoe Creek in Caroline County. Open year round, the Arboretum offers educational programs for all ages about nature and gardening. Through its Campaign to Build a Green Legacy, the Arboretum will build a new LEED-certified Arboretum Center and entranceway to broaden educational offerings and research initiatives promoting best practices in conservation and land stewardship. For additional information about Arboretum programs, visit www.adkinsarboretum.org or call 410-634-2847, ext. 0.