Lisa Berry, wildflower aficionado and Lake Tahoe Community College adjunct instructor, says the fickle weather in the Sierra can result in a distinct advantage for wildflowers.

Berry has been leading wildflower hikes and studying the area’s wildflowers for almost a decade. This year’s dry winter season resulted in something she said she has never seen before.

“The light winter did take its toll on the flowers,” Berry said in a press release. “You didn’t see the explosions of color like we are used to, but what I found was when the conditions aren’t right for the normal flowers they are perfect for other flowers that usually don’t get a chance to bloom.”

Berry will be talking about her findings and presenting a slideshow of her discoveries on Sept. 5 at 7pm in LTCC’s Aspen Room. The talk is free and open to the public.