NIGHT OWLS LANDING
Sharing wisdom through science and stories.
Join us for chill, scientific discussions of various topics in ecological, environmental, and social research.
Night Owls is an hour-long program where a scholarly article is discussed. These meetups will take place outside (weather willing; otherwise, discussions may take place inside the Nature Center).
This is a free program, open to the public, beginning at 5:30 p.m. on the last Thursday of every other month.
Topics include Climate Change and Maple Sugar Tapping, Carbon Neutral Indiana, Playful Animal Behavior, Proforestation, Queer Theory for Lichens, and Environmental Justice. Guests are welcome to bring their own drinks and snacks!
Questions? Please call us at 812-479-0771 or email info@wesselmanwoods.org.
Night Owl Resources
Climate Change and the Future of Maple Tapping
Presented by Cindy Cifuentes and Zach Garcia
January 26, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
Discussion over the 2019 publication “Finding the sweet spot: Shifting optimal climate for maple syrup production in North America” by Joshua M. Rapp, David A. Lutz, Ryan D. Huish, Boris Dufour, Selena Ahmed, Toni Lyn Morelli, and Kristina A. Stinson
Additional Resources
Video: How to Make Maple Syrup (and the science of maple sap) by Back to Reality
Climate Impacts on Maple Syrup by ACERnet (a page maintained by Dept. of Environmental Conservation UMass Amherst)
Deonte Meriwether, Director of Operations at Wesselman Woods, drills into a sugar maple
Carbon Neutral Indiana
Presented by Zach Garcia
March 30, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
Discussion over the 2022 publication Carbon Neutral Indiana: A Practical Guide to Climate Optimism.
This book contains 60 stories of Hoosier entrepreneurs reducing carbon emissions. It also includes:
50 local organizations, how they can help you, contact info
20 relevant bills
31 group discussion questions
16 how-to guides
220 index entries
Project Drawdown is the world’s leading resource for climate solutions. It’s a list of ways to reduce carbon emissions -- ranging from solar and wind to methane digesters and alternative cement.
We started by narrowing down Drawdown solutions relevant to Indiana. Then we identified local NGOs and subject matter experts working on each solution. Finally, we interviewed Hoosiers who implemented these solutions successfully at the household, organizational, or city level.
The result? An easy to read guide that will inspire, educate, and activate you.
If you can’t purchase the book at this time, download the excerpts that we scanned and come for the discussion. Bring your questions or ideas about how we can go about reducing climate emissions in our community!
Playful Animal Behavior
Presented by Elaine Kung and Zach Garcia
May 25, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
Discussion over the 2003 publication “A Comparative Analysis of Social Play in Birds” by Judy Diamond and Alan B. Bond of the University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
Izzy the Peregrine Falcon
Importance of Old-Growth Forests
Presented by Zach Garcia
July 27, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
Discussion over these publications:
Tree cores from dendrochronologist, Joe Buck
Our first Nature Play Directors at Wesselman Woods. From left to right: Annika, Viggo, and Lucinda
Environmental Justice
Presented by Zach Garcia
November 30, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
Discussion over these publications:
“TOWARD A CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE STUDIES: Black Lives Matter as an Environmental Justice Challenge” by David N. Pellow
{ Download }“Climate change through the lens of intersectionality” by Anna Kaijser & Annica Kronsell
{ Download }The Principles of Environmental Justice (EJ)
{ Download }Delegates to the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit held on October 24-27, 1991, in Washington DC, drafted and adopted these 17 principles of Environmental Justice. Since then, the Principles have served as a defining document for the growing grassroots movement for environmental justice.
“Toxic Wastes and Race in the United States” by the Commission for Racial Justice
{ Download }