LAKELAND, Fla. (Oct. 5, 2010) -- The Lawton M. Chiles, Jr., Center for Florida History at Florida Southern College welcomes Carlton Ward, Jr., accomplished Florida conservationist, author, and photographer, to the Florida Lecture Series. Ward will discuss "Florida Cowboys: Keepers of the Last Frontier" beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14, in the McKay Archives Center on the FSC campus. The event is free and open to the public.

In addition, Wards photography is on exhibit in the gallery on the first floor of the McKay Archives Center through Dec. 1. The gallery is open to the public during regular business hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays).

Ward, an eighth-generation Floridian from a prominent ranching family, is an environmental photojournalist who uses his art to call attention to conservation issues in the state. He regularly produces stories and photographs for magazines such as Smithsonian, GEO, National Wildlife, Africa Geographic, Nature Conservancy, and Outdoor Photographer,and is the author of several books. His latest book, "Florida Cowboys: Keepers of the Last Frontier," which documents Floridas ranches and the cowboys who work on them, will be available at his program.

"Carlton Wards deep roots in Florida and artfully trained eye provide him with a unique perspective from which to view the panorama of life in wild Florida," said Dr. James M. Denham, director of the Lawton M. Chiles, Jr., Center for Florida History.