Embedded Files
Presentation from Tuesday, January 14, 2025: Loony for Minnesota’s State Bird with Maddi Nistler
We’re all a little loony for Minnesota’s state bird! Whether you only know common loons by their iconic calls or you are a longtime loon watcher, these charismatic birds will never stop surprising you. This presentation will dive into the physical and behavioral characteristics that make common loons unique, as well as aspects of the delicate freshwater ecosystem that loons call home and the intricate ecological network that exists there. Maddi will also discuss some best practices that you can adopt to better protect loons from the environmental conflicts we see today.
Loony for Minnesota’s State Bird Presentation Link
Presentation from Tuesday, March 11, 2025: Birds in Migration at Hawk Ridge with Margie Menzies
Each fall and spring, millions of birds migrate via the Central corridor, one of the premier flyways of North America. An average of 90,000 raptors and hundreds of thousands of other migratory birds are counted annually during the fall and spring counts conducted by Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory. These phenomenal natural events are amazing to observe! A single day can easily yield thousands to tens of thousands in single-species counts. Why do we see such huge numbers? What are we learning from these birds who fly by twice annually? This presentation will teach you about the science of migration, such as the differences between fall and spring migrations; what species are observed and when is the best time to see them; trends observed in nearly 50 years of data; as well as research and education efforts underway at Hawk Ridge.
Birds in Migration at Hawk Ridge Presentation Link
Presentation from Tuesday, April 8, 2025: Experiences and Photos as a Bluebird Recovery Volunteer with Kathy Meinhardt
Kathy Meinhardt describes her years of caring for bluebird boxes at the Minnesota Masonic Home in Bloomington. She has photos of all phases of bluebird nesting and fledging with examples of nest boxes. She will show the types of nest boxes; describe the differences between bluebird nests and eggs and those of other species that sometimes use the next boxes; and discuss gestation, hatching and fledging. She will bring samples of nests and eggs and a couple of different boxes.
Experiences and Photos as a Bluebird Recovery Volunteer Presentation Link
Presentation from Tuesday, May 13, 2025: White-Tailed Deer Movement and Disease in the Twin Cities Metro with Meggan Craft
In this talk Dr. Craft provided background on the natural history of the white-tailed deer, and introduced ongoing research to better understand deer movement and disease in suburban areas though the use of GPS collars and disease sampling.
White-Tailed Deer Movement and Disease in the Twin Cities Metro Presentation Link
Presentation from Tuesday, September 9, 2025: From Fork to Forest -- Why we can't solve the climate crisis without changing how we eat with Nicola Philpott and Anna Larsson
Even if we stopped using fossil fuels today, emissions from our food system would still cause the earth to exceed targets. This lively presentation discusses the under-appreciated impact our food system has on climate and the environment. Learn actions you can take at your very next meal to start changing things for the better.
Presentation from Tuesday, October 14, 2025: Restoring Native Ecosystems at MN Valley NWR-WMD with Matt McClanahan
Matt highlights current projects showing how the Minnesota Valley Trust and USFWS identify and restore priority wildlife habitats at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and Wetland Management District, with a focus on native prairies, oak savannas, and prairie wetlands. He will also discuss opportunities for involvement, including citizen science and volunteer opportunities at the refuge.
Restoring Native Ecosystems at MN Valley NWR-WMD Presentation Link
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