Cofrin Center for Biodiversity

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Spring 2008 Calendar

This is a list of biodiversity related events on campus and off. If you have an event you want us to list, please email medlandv@uwgb.edu

Directions to Campus

February

Sunday, February 10 at 1 pm

Winter Photography Hike at Baird Creek with Tom Knuth

Taking photos against the snow can be tricky. Join a nature photographer for tips on getting great winter shots on our February 10th hike. Free “Hikes in the Park” organized by the Baird Creek Preservation Foundation the second Sunday of every month, leaving at 1 p.m. from the Christa McAuliffe Park parking lot.

Wednesday, February 13 at 7 pm
The Economy of Birdwatching by Jon Motquin

a Neville Museum Natural History Lecture: 7 pm Neville Museum auditorium 210 Museum Place, Green Bay.. Call 448-4460 ext. 0 for more information.

February 15-18.

Great Backyard Bird Count.

Participate in this 11th annual citizen science project hosted by the National Audubon Society and Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Count the birds you see during at least a 15 minute period. Report your results at www.birdcount.org and see maps and lists from all participants. More detailed instructions are available on that website.

Thursday, February 21

Backyard Winter Oasis for Feeding Birds

February is often the most difficult months for birds. Natural food supplies are sometimes depleted, spring is far away and a typical songbird must still eat 15% of its body weight each day in order to survive in the cold. Feeding birds also brings us a connection to nature that can relieve the gloominess of our northern winters. You will learn the best choices for feeders, foods, and landscaping to attract birds. Come and find out how to make your backyard an oasis of color and life all year long. Part of the Third Thursday Downtown Lecture Series. Visit http://www.uwgb.edu/downtown/ for more information and to register. Thursday, February 21, 2008 12:00-12:45pm

Wednesday, February 27th

Cofrin Grant Student Symposium

Please join us for the Cofrin Grant Student Symposium. Each year several students receive grants to do research projects on the natural areas managed by the Cofrin Center for Biodiversity. The symposium will be held from 2-5 pm in the Christie Theatre at the University Union and is open to the public. Schedule of presenters TBA

March

Sunday, March 9 at 1 pm

Erosion & Invasive Species Hike at Baird Creek.

Learn about issues that are plaguing Baird Creek, and find out what you can do on our Erosion & Invasive Species Hike. Hikes begin at 1 p.m. at Christa Mc Auliffe Park in Green Bay. For the latest information: ww.bairdcreek.org or call 432-4739 Remember to dress for the weather!

Wednesday, March 12 at 7 pm

Panama: Bridge of Life by Vicki Medland

Learn more about the Panama Landbridge and its importance in the migration of animals and plants between North and South America: a Neville Museum Natural History Lecture: 7 pm Neville Museum auditorium 210 Museum Place, Green Bay.. Call 448-4460 ext. 0 for more information.

April

Wednesday, April 9

Grasshoppers of Wisconsin by Kathryn Kirk

A Neville Museum Natural History Lecture: 7 pm Neville Museum auditorium 210 Museum Place, Green Bay.. Call 448-4460 ext. 0 for more information.

Sunday, April 13

Fish of Baird Creek Hike

Come with Charlie Frisk as he casts his net to view some of the Fish of Baird Creek. Hikes begin at 1 p.m. at Christa Mc Auliffe Park in Green Bay. For the latest information: ww.bairdcreek.org or call 432-4739

May

Saturday May 10

Spring’s Wings Birding and Art Festival at the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary

Celebrate the many and varied ways we interact with birds. The list of events includes field trips, demonstrations and activities appropriate for both adults interested in increasing their knowledge of birds, art lovers of all ages and families eager to expose their children to the wonders of nature through engaging hands-on activities. Artists are encouraged to participate by showing their bird and wildlife related art and participating in the bird art competition. For more information please visit the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary.

Wednesday, May 14

Sturgeon by Robert Elliot, USFWS.

A Neville Museum Natural History Lecture: 7 pm Neville Museum auditorium 210 Museum Place, Green Bay. Call 448-4460 ext. 0 for more information.

Speakers and Seminars

We are pleased to be able to present speakers throughout the year. Speakers are invited by faculty and students in NAS, Human Biology, and by student groups like PEAC and Round River, The Cofrin Center for Biodiversity, the departments of Natural and Applied Sciences and Human Biology, and UW Green Bay. The university, student groups, departments, and NAS Plant Sale act as sponsors.

Ecolunch: Fridays at Noon in the Biodiversity Conference Room

Spring 2007 topic is Tropical Biology. Mike Draney is the moderator. We will be reading a variety of papers chosen by participating students and faculty. Please email draneym@uwgb.edu for more information about attending ecolunch and how to access the papers

Ecolunch is a long-standing tradition among ecology faculty and students at UWGB. Each Friday faculty, local community scientists, and students get together for an informal brown-bag discussion of selected topics in ecology. Each semester there is usually a theme to organize the discussions. The schedule varies from discussions of the latest research papers and new books to presentations by students about their research plans and findings. Ecolunch provides a unique opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to gain valuable skills in discussion and evaluation of current research. It also allows students to bounce ideas off their colleagues to help them conduct more successful research projects. All undergraduate and graduate students with an interest in ecology and biodiversity are welcome to attend.

Graduate students can take Ecolunch for credit by enrolling in ENV S&P 715: Seminar in Ecology and Evolution. This course can be repeated and instructors vary. Every spring graduate students from ES&P invite a speaker from outside the university to more closely investigate that semester's theme. This semester students invited Dr. John Bell who will speak at ecolunch and in a seminar at 2 pm that is open to the public (see schedule above).

Biodiversity Workshops

The Cofrin Center for Biodiversity at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay announces occasional workshops as part of our mission to promote biodiversity protection through education and scientific research. Biodiversity staff and UW-Green Bay faculty will present the Saturday morning workshops free of charge for anyone interested in learning more about our environment. Each workshop is limited to 15 participants in order to provide a quality experience for those attending. Participants of all ages are welcome, but be aware that these workshops will go beyond an elementary introduction. Educators, students, and others with a keen interest in nature will find these workshops most rewarding. Past workshops have included dragonflies, fossils, butterflies, spiders etc.

Biodiversity Topics: Introduction . Plants . Animals . Mammals . Birds . Reptiles & Amphibians . Arthropods . Spiders . Insects