The University of Virginia’s Environment, Conservation and Culture lecture series will kick off with a panel discussion titled “Picturing Nature, Understanding Conservation: ‘Hotspots Revisited,’” a Virginia Festival of the Book session with Conservation International, on Thursday at 4 p.m. in U.Va.’s Charles L. Brown Science and Engineering Library Reading Room, Clark Hall. The series, sponsored by U.Va.’s Office of the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies, highlights U.Va. research and education programs that investigate the interrelatedness of the natural environment and human behavior. The event is free and open to the public. Full story.

Inside UVA

Debra Mercer is the adopted black daughter of a wealthy, white, British family. When she delves into her family history, her bittersweet discoveries make her question herself and the people she calls kin. A cast of both University of Virginia graduate and undergraduate actors, including John Bonner (left) and Autumn Shiley (right) will portray the lives of three centuries of the Mercer family simultaneously in the mysterious and powerful drama “Luminosity” by Nick Stafford, which continues the U.Va. Department of Drama’s 2005-2006 season. “Luminosity” will “shine” in the Helms Theatre March 23-25, 29-31, and April 1 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors (60+) and $8 for students; full-time U.Va. students can use their ART$ Dollars to purchase tickets. Full story.

U.Va. News Services/Photo: Michael Bailey