Starting in January, Cascade Meadow will launch a monthly speaker series featuring presentations on environmental topics impacting the Southeast Minnesota region. The series will be held the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. in the lower level of Cascade Meadow. The events are free and open to the public. No R.S.V.P. is needed. We look forward to you joining us.
Below is the schedule of the first few months and a brief description of each evening talk.
January 19: “Climate change impacts to southeast Minnesota fishes”
Speaker: Joshua Lallaman, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Biology at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Description: The projected rise in surface temperature and precipitation patterns caused by global climate change will have significant negative consequences on fish and aquatic habitats in waters ranging from trout streams to the Great Lakes. Research from fish movement and temperature selection in Cascade Meadow Lake will be used as one of several examples to discuss the impact on local fish populations.
February 16: “Recovery of Henslow’s sparrows at Great River Bluffs State Park through habitat management”
Speaker: Raymond Faber, Ph.D. Professor of Biology at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Description: Faber has studied Henslow’s sparrows at Great River Bluffs State Park (GRBSP) since 1994 and recommended habitat modifications that were successful in restoring a resident population. Henslow’s sparrows are on Minnesota’s list of endangered species and are found in only a few locations in the state. They have traditionally been found at GRBSP since its establishment, but disappeared in the early 1990’s because of deterioration of their habitat.
March 16: “Why are these ants on my plants? A brief exploration of ant-plant interactions”
Speaker: Moni Berg-Binder, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Biology at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Description: Interactions between ants and plans are abundant in nature. What are the outcomes of these interactions? Who are the “winners” and “losers”? We will explore several different common types of interactions between ants and plans, including several interactions happening in southeastern Minnesota.
For more upcoming events at Cascade Meadow, please visit our events calendar online at www.smumn.edu/cascademeadow/events/