Dynamic Earth lecture series at science center

[Parenting NH Administrator]

HOLDERNESS – Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is holding a series of free lectures about the changing world around us. The Dynamic Earth Series runs on Monday evenings beginning at 7 p.m. during July.

Program topics for this adult lecture series range from invasive plants to earthquakes to bats to alpine ecosystems. All lectures are free and open to the public but reservations are requested by calling 968-7194 or emailing [e-mail]. Details about individual lectures from the series are below.

 

Invasive Upland Plant Species of New Hampshire

Monday, July 2 at 7 p.m.

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is presenting a series of special lectures and programs as part of a “Dynamic Earth Series.” This week, Douglas Cygan, Invasive Species Coordinator for the NH Dept. of Agriculture, Markets & Food will present an in-depth look at upland invasive plant species of New Hampshire. Attendees will learn about the various issues, New Hampshire rules and regulations, characteristics, identifying features and control measures of some of the most aggressive non-native plants here in the Granite State.

The Past, Present and Future of Earthquakes in New England

Monday, July 9 at 7 p.m.

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is presenting a series of special lectures and programs as part of a “Dynamic Earth Series.” This week, Dr. John Ebel, Director of Weston Observatory at Boston College will talk about New England earthquakes.

Last summer’s earthquake reminded us that while we may not live in seismically-active California, the earth still can move under our feet!  The New England region has experienced regular earthquake activity throughout its history, and a few of which were damaging. In this talk, Dr Ebel Director of New England Seismic Network at Boston College, will explore where New England earthquakes have occurred, what caused them, and what the potential is for future damaging earthquakes in our region.

 

Can Northeastern Alpine Ecosystems Survive Today’s Climate Challenges?

Monday, July 16 at 7:00 p.m.

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is presenting a series of special lectures and programs as part of a “Dynamic Earth Series.” This week, Dr. Kenneth D. Kimball, Director of Research with the Appalachian Mountain Club will talk about alpine ecosystems.

Northeastern alpine ecosystems are now but isolated biological ‘islands in the sky’, having survived a myriad of challenges since the last glaciers retreated. The presentation will provide some intriguing insight to questions like how did these ecosystems survive a major warming period several thousand years ago? Why are our region’s alpine ecosystems some of the lowest in the world at this latitude? Why is the air safer to breath at the mountain base compared to the summit?  And are we running an unintended fertilizing experiment that possibly could alter where the treeline of tomorrow might be?   

 

Bats in a Bind

Monday, July 23 at 7 p.m.

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is presenting a series of special lectures and programs as part of a “Dynamic Earth Series.” This week, Dave Erler, SLNSC Senior Naturalist & Bat Conservation International trained bat house researcher will talk about threats to New Hampshire bats.

Bats have occupied the night skies for 60 million years, but over the last half century have faced a barrage of threats locally, nationally and worldwide. Twenty five percent of the nearly 1200 recognized species are currently in danger of going extinct. This program will focus on the major threats to bats and the implications of declining bat populations.

 

New England Forests Through Time: Historical Perspective and Future Questions

Monday, July 30 at 7 p.m.

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is presenting a series of special lectures and programs as part of a “Dynamic Earth Series.” This week, John O’Keefe, Forest Ecologist & Coordinator of the Fisher Museum at Harvard Forest (Retired) will explore the past and present of New England Forests.

From the seemingly limitless forest tracts of colonial time, to the largely cleared agricultural landscape of the nineteenth century, and back to the predominantly forested region of today, the New England landscape has gone through major transformations.  Dr. O’Keefe will discuss the legacy of these transformations: how a sequence of human and natural disturbance has shaped the character of our modern landscape and influences virtually all aspects of our lives; how these changes are being studied at Harvard Forest; and what new changes the future may bring.