Fall 2012 Events and Speakers
September 2012
"Bridging Science and Policy to Advocate for Healthy River Systems"
with Traci Barkley, Water Resources Scientist for Prairie River Network
Monday, September 17, 2012
7pm,
Center for Natural Sciences (CNS) C101 at IWU
Barkley will discuss how Prairie Rivers Network has used scientific findings to advocate for state and federal policy reform in areas including water quality standards, agricultural and industrial pollution and habitat protection. Prairie Rivers Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and restoring rivers and streams throughout Illinois. Co-sponsored by IWU's Environmental Studies Program and John Wesley Powell Audubon
"Rachel Carson's Silent Spring" An American Experience Film
Thursday, September 27, 2012
7-8:30pm
Beckman Auditorium, IWU's Ames Library
Fifty years ago, on September 27, 1962, Rachel Carson's groundbreaking book Silent Spring was published, launching an environmental movement in this country. Come watch a PBS film about Carson and her work. The film will be introduced by IWU's English Professor Dr. Alison Sainsbury, and will be followed by a short discussion facilitated by students in IWU's Sierra Student Coalition. This event is part of a cluster of campus actions for SHOUT OUT: Celebrating 50 years of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring! co-sponsored by IWU's Sierra Student Coalition and the Environmental Studies Program.
"Bird Walk at Ewing Park I" with Dr. Given Harper, IWU Professor and Chair of Biology
Saturday, September 29, 2012
9-11am
Ewing Park I (off Towanda Ave), Normal IL
Join Dr. Harper for an informative morning of discovery as you look and listen for birds in nearby Ewing Park I. Bring binoculars. Meet at 8:30a at IWU's Hansen Student Center to walk/bike/carpool from campus. This event is part of a cluster of campus actions for SHOUT OUT: Celebrating 50 years of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring! co-sponsored by IWU's Sierra Student Coalition and the Environmental Studies Program
"SHOUT OUT: Celebrating 50 years of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring!" Archival and Comic Displays
Ames Library Display Case in Rotunda on main floor AND Memorial Center West Hallway
Check out several campus displays to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring. The Ames Library Display Case on the main floor rotunda features archival works by Rachel Carson and IWU award winning alumn Sandra Steingraber, who is often described as "Rachel's Daughter". The Memorial Center West Hallway features a gallery of comics, ads and poems from the 1940s to 1960s about Rachel Carson, DDT and more. These displays are co-sponsored by IWU's Sierra Student Coalition and the Environmental Studies Program.
"Household Hazardous Waste" Community Collection Event
Saturday, September 29, 2012
8am-2pm
The Interstate Center, 2301 W. Market St., Bloomington IL
McLean County residents may bring household hazardous waste for disposal. Proof of residency is required. Volunteers and funds are needed for this event. Visit the Ecology Action Center for more information on this and items accepted.
October 2012
"Using Mother Nature's 'Ecosystem Services' and Environmental Best Management Practices to Protect Water Quality" with Peter Bronski, Coordinator of the Sustainability Communities Program for Audubon International
Thursday, October 11, 2012
8pm
Center for Natural Sciences (CNS), Room C101, Illinois Wesleyan University
Peter Bronski will speak about how communities, land managers, and agencies can use Mother Nature's "ecosystem services" to protect water quality and save money at the same time. Not only is Mr Bronski an award-winning writer, photographer, and speaker, but he also holds a B.S. in Natural Resources from Cornell University and is a member of the Society for Conservation Biology. The talk is co-sponsored by the IWU Student Sierra Coalition and the IWU Environmental Studies Program.
"Bringing Nature Home" with Dr. Doug Tallamy, Professor and Chair of Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology and Director of the Center for Managed Ecosystems at the University of Delaware.
Monday, October 15, 2012
7pm
Astroth Community Education Center Auditorium, Heartland Community College, Normal IL
Dr. Tallamy will discuss the important ecological roles of native plants in our landscapes, emphasizing the benefits of designing gardens with these roles in mind, and exploring the consequences of failing to do so. He is the author of the 2007 book "Bringing Nature Home: How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens," which was awarded the 2008 silver medal by the Garden Writer's Association. Co-sponsored by John Wesley Powell Audubon and the Illinois Chapter of The Wild Ones.
"The Forest Unseen: A Year's Watch in Nature" with Dr. David Haskell, avian ecologist at Sewanee: the University of the South, Carnegie-CASE Professor of the Year for Tennessee in 2009.
October 29, 2012
7pm
Center for Natural Sciences (CNS) C101 at IWU
What can be learned from one square meter of forest? Dr. Haskell's talk will set out to answer this question by observing the ecology and biodiversity of a tiny patch of old growth forest in the mountains of Tennessee. He will include short readings from his recently published book (with the same title) about the ecological stories of this small area of forest. See here for a link to a recent New York Times article about Dr. Haskell. The talk is supported by the Beach Lewis fund of the IWU Biology Department and co-sponsored by IWU's Environmental Studies Program and John Wesley Powell Audubon.
November 2012
IPA (Illinois People's Action) Meeting on Fracking
Saturday, November 10, 2012
First United Methodist Church
211 North School Street Normal, IL.
Parking available.
Hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," is the practice of injecting millions of gallons of a mixture of water, sand, and highly toxic carcinogenic chemicals (benzene, diesel fuel, etc.) into the ground at high pressures to fracture the rock and force out natural gas. Illinois People's Action (IPA), an ecumenical, faith-based community organization, is sponsoring a public meeting to learn more about the issues, and current legislative efforts. The mission of IPA is to help its membership work collectively for justice in local communities and throughout Illinois' urban and rural communities. The meeting is open to the public. See IPA website for more information.
IWU NEXT
Wednesday, November 15, 2012
7p
Hansen Center at IWU
This event is styled in the manner of TED talks but focusing on bringing IWU students, faculty, staff, and members of the Bloomington-Normal community to share the stories and causes they are passionate about. It will feature speakers like our Student Senate President, Rachel Paturi, the Senior Class President, Ted Delicath, the Director of the Wesleyan Fund, Jeff Mavros, the founders of the Really Really Free Market, Kelby Cumpston and Torii More, and many others. Sponsored by IWU Student Senate. The event is free and open to all.
America Recycles Day – MEGA Recycling Event
Saturday, November. 17, 2012
8am -1pm
IWU Hansen Student Center Parking Lot
IWU Wellness and the Ecology Action Center want to help make recycling easier for you on America Recycles Day. While most families recycle the usual — plastic food containers, glass bottles, newspapers — what about other items? For one day only, residents can recycle “the other” recyclables all in one place, all at the same time. Bring the following:
• Electronics
• Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs)
• Household batteries (alkaline, watch batteries, rechargeable batteries)
• Clothes and textiles (usable or not)
• Shoes (usable or not)
• Plastic Garden Pots
• Confidential Paper Shredding
• Terracycle items
In addition, Confidential On-Site Paper Shredding (C.O.P.S.) will provide free confidential document shredding for residents. This event is free and open to the public for residential waste only (no business waste). No hazardous wastes, chemicals, paints or large appliances accepted. Volunteers are needed. Sign up here.
Also see Selected Past Events and Speakers