Science Café: Rain Forests – Going, Going, Gone?

Date: Jan. 18, 6:30–8:30 pm with discussions beginning at 7 pm followed by Q&A
Location: Tir Na Nog, 218 South Blount Street, Raleigh, 919.833.7795
Fee: Free
RSVP: 919.733.7450×531 or email: katey.ahmann@ncdenr.gov

Every child grows up with a sense of awe about tropical forests — extraordinary creatures including poison dart frogs, sloths, orchids and jaguars representing a veritable treasure-trove of biodiversity. But scientists estimate that more than half of Africa’s rain forests are gone, with at least 40 percent losses in Asia and Latin America and 95 percent in Madagascar. Even with new technologies, measuring tropical deforestation is not easy, and illegal logging is epidemic in many parts of the world. What is the prognosis for the future of tropical rain forests? And how will human beings fare if these vital ecosystems disappear? What essential services do tropical forests provide for the planet, and how can we conserve them for our children?

LAST CHANCE to join Canopymeg on the Orinoco River, where she is leading a trip jointly for the Smithsonian Institution/Explorers Club. Below is information about the trip:

Download (PDF, 753.26KB)

Dr. Lowman will be speaking at the Bethlehem United Holy Church in Durham, NC on Martin Luther King Day (1/17/2011).  Details are in the flyer below. (Click to enlarge.)

On Tuesday, October 19th, BBC Radio 4 will include a segment about the Ethiopian Church Forests. For more information see the BBC Radio 4 website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00vcp4c

ESA Press Release:

ESA Ecology and Education Summit to address environmental literacy

Nationally recognized conference will explore progress in science and environmental education

The Ecology and Education Summit “Environmental Literacy for a Sustainable World” will be held October 14-15, 2010 in Washington, D.C. Co-organized by the Ecological Society of America (ESA) and National Education Association (NEA), the event is sponsored by federal agencies, foundations, societies and associations and being held in collaboration with more than 20 national organizations and over 30 individuals. The summit brings together educators, scientists and policy professionals from a wide variety of sectors—including academia, business, agriculture, government, the health industry and the media—to focus on environmental education and opportunities for progress.

“Environmental literacy is essential for creating a sustainable society,” said Meg Lowman, ESA Vice President for Education and Diversity, and Summit co-chair. “As we move into a technologically advanced future, our understanding of Earth’s systems and how humans play into those systems is increasingly vital—the more we know about Earth processes, the better prepared we will be for environmental changes and future resource management.”

Environmental literacy is concerned with the ability to understand ecological, biological and physical systems, as they connect with human systems, and with environmental decision making. The Ecology and Education Summit is moving toward a Decadal Action Plan for environmental literacy outlining immediate next steps and long term goals.

“The Summit will engage educators and experts from a wide range of fields to generate ideas and collaboration and to lay out a specific plan for developing a green workforce and society,” said Carolyn Breedlove, Manager of NEA’s Green Across America, and Summit co-chair. “We have designed interactive strategies to foster discussion and promote creative action.”

The Summit will also feature two keynote speakers, five panel discussions, two breakout sessions and an evening reception on October 14 featuring a poster session, interactive displays and exhibits. In his Keynote Address “Eyewitness to Global Warming,” Will Steger—the National Geographic Society’s first Explorer-in-Residence—will recount his personal experiences observing  the effects of global climate change. Will Allen—former professional basketball player, urban farmer and “hero” in the 2010 edition of Time Magazine’s 100 World’s Most Influential People—will talk about the current state of the urban agricultural movement in his Keynote Address “Growing Food and Community in the City.”

Other topics in the Summit include:

• Learning about Complexity and Change: New Foundations for Environmental Literacy
• Turning the Tide: Building a Green Society through Learning and Doing
• Seeing our World Inside and Out: Harnessing New Technologies for Environmental Literacy
• Fostering Lifelong Learning Skills: Empowering Best Practices in Effective Teaching and
• Learning
• Expanding Funding, Strengthening Public Policy
• Environmental Literacy for All

The Ecology and Education Summit agenda is available at http://www.esa.org/eesummit/content/summit-agenda. The Summit is sponsored by the Ecological Society of America, National Education Association, National Science Foundation, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Environmental Education Foundation, Tree Foundation, National Geographic and Green Mountain Digital.

Contact: Katie Kline
email: katie@esa.org
202-833-8773 x211
Ecological Society of America

Below is information about a trip that Dr. “CanopyMeg” Lowman will be leading up the Orinoco and Amazon region in April 2011:

Download (PDF, 753.26KB)

From the Children and Nature Network:

Take A Child Outside Week is a program designed to help break down obstacles that keep children from discovering the natural world. By arming parents, teachers and other caregivers with resources on outdoor activities, our goal is to help children across the country develop a better understanding and appreciation of the environment in which they live, and a burgeoning enthusiasm for its exploration.

More info: http://www.takeachildoutside.org/

Tune in to WEDU public television tonight (Thursday, August 26) at 8 p.m. as research by New College students and faculty on invasive pythons in Florida is featured on Gulf Coast Journal with Jack Perkins.

This past year, students from biology professor Meg Lowman’s ecology and conservation biology classes, as well as bioinformatics and computational science professors Christopher Hart and Leon Kaganovskiy’s classes, conducted research on the threat and pervasiveness of invasive pythons in our state. Interviews with the student and faculty researchers along with footage shot and produced by them will be aired on Thursday’s program. Please tune in.

The Fragile Forest: Inside Brazilian Amazonia is a celebration of the spirit of the Amazonian rainforests. This book aims to introduce the reader to the mystery and romance of the region, supported by scores of photographs shot over multiple visits. While every attempt has been made to bring alive the Amazonian basin and its significance as the greatest biodiversity hot spot on this planet, this book is not intended to be a detailed historic, economic, scientific or geographic reference for the region.

In addition to photographs, the book provides useful maps, fact files, environmental diversity and relevant information for prospective travelers and readers.

For information on how to obtain an advance copy of the book, please e-mail the author at bhaskardk@gmail.com

UPDATE on 8/18/10:
Some additional images from inside the book:

Article about the book from The Columbia County News-Times:
Photographer’s book takes readers on Amazon journey

The books can be purchased in bulk from:
International Fine Art Gallery
917, Littleton St, Augusta, GA 30904
Tel: 706-294-2055
Email: valledolmo@att.net

Comments on the book:
“I commend this book ‘The Fragile Forest inside Brazilian Amazonia’ which gives a unique insight into a vast landscape that it is essential to maintain. Bhaskar’s text and breathtaking photography allow a deep understanding of this immensely important part of our landscape.”
[Neil Lawson Baker, Chairman, The National Open Art Competition, Chichester, England]

“You have wonderful photographs and the book has a special evocative feel to it, unlike anything else I know of. The overall impression is inspired, and very inspiring!”
[Dr. Oliver Phillips, Professor of Tropical Ecology, University of Leeds, UK]

Dr. Meg Lowman was a visiting James Martin Fellow at the Center for Tropical Forestry in the Environmental Change Institute, Oxford University during spring 2010. During this time, she conducted workshops for Earthwatch Institute at their European headquarters, directed by Nigel Winser (www.earthwatch.org) . She also lectured for the Environmental Change Institute on Plant-Insect Interactions in Forest Canopies, and on Women in Science — Challenges in Field Biology. She also worked with Global Canopy Programme staff (www.gcp.org) headed up by Andrew Mitchell, whose group has created the Little REDD Book to create metrics for reducing deforestation as part of global climate change strategies.
With colleagues, she visited research projects at Whytham Woods outside Oxford, including their canopy walkway (see photos).
During her Fellowship, Lowman was hosted by world-acclaimed artist Angela Palmer, whose exhibit called Ghost Forest has been viewed by millions of people and called attention to climate change and tropical deforestation. Palmer and Lowman hope to collaborate in future on programs to integrate art and science. For more on Ghost Forests, see www.ghostforest.com