Thursday, Jan. 31
7 p.m.
CNS C101

The Mackinaw River in central Illinois contains several high quality stream segments and is home to many aquatic species, but it is exposed to environmental stressors such as agriculture runoff from the surrounding landscape. Krista Kirkham, applied scientist for the Illinois Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, will talk about the work of The Nature Conservancy in Illinois and give an overview of three TNC conservation projects along the Mackinaw River, including the Paired Watershed Project, the Franklin Research and Demonstration Project, and the Mackinaw Drinking Watersheds Project. Co-sponsored by IWU’s Environmental Studies Program and John Wesley Powell Audubon.

12-2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2
The IWU Peace Garden

Come join us for our last work day of the semester, help us get the garden ready for winter, get your hands dirty and drink some hot cocoa (bring your own mug).

The IWU Peace Garden is located north of the Shirk Center. Cross the outdoor track and the football practice field and you will see the garden across the street, under the tower.

Monday, Nov. 12
7 p.m.
Beckman Auditorium, The Ames Library

Did you know that in 2007, the U.S. bottled water industry consumed the equivalent of between 32 and 54 million barrels of oil? Come watch the documentary Tapped and learn more.

Wednesday, Nov. 7
11 a.m.
Evelyn Chapel

The First Wednesday Chapel will explore “The Green Rule,” traditions from multiple faiths calling for ecological reverence and justice.

Chaplain Elyse Nelson Winger will speak about green wisdom drawing from various religious traditions. The talk will explore the ways in which caring for the earth is a transcending theme in different faith and non-faith traditions. Evelyn Ensemble and IWU’s saxophone quartet will provide music.

The “First Wednesday” Chapel is meant to offer community hours to learn about different spiritual traditions from multiple faiths. Different themes are explored through music, poetry, sacred texts and speakers’ reflection.

The theme Green Rule and service is inspired by resources developed by the interfaith organization “Faith and the Common Good.” 

The IWU Peace Garden will hold a Harvest Fest on Thursday, Oct. 11 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on the steps of the Joslin Atrium.

Students will be selling tomatoes, swiss chard, salad mix, potatoes, sage, nasturtiums, eggplant, peppers, and a few other items.

All are welcome to stop by.

“Using Mother Nature’s ‘Ecosystem Services’ and Environmental Best Management Practices to Protect Water Quality,” with Peter Bronski, coordinator of the Sustainable Communities Program for Audubon International.

Thursday, Oct. 11
8p.m.
CNS C101

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. An award-winning writer, nature photographer and environmental speaker, Bronski holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources from Cornell University and is a member of the Society for Conservation Biology. As coordinator of the Sustainable Communities Program for Audubon International, Bronski works with municipal governments, businesses, universities, state and federal agencies and other stakeholders to foster more sustainable communities rooted in environmental health, economic vitality, and a high quality of life.

Co-hosted by the Student Sierra Coalition (SSC) and the Environmental Studies Program.

Monday, Oct. 29
7  p.m.
CNS C101 

Dr. David Haskell, avian ecologist at Sewanee: the University of the South, will speak about his project to discover what can be learned from one square meter of forest. He spent a year observing the ecology and biodiversity of a tiny patch of old growth forest in the mountains of Tennessee.

His lecture will describe the scientific and personal insights that he gained from this project. He will also give short readings from his recently published book, The Forest Unseen: A Year’s Watch in Nature.

His book has received positive reviews from such noted authors as E.O. Wilson and Bill McKibben. Haskell has also received several teaching awards, including the Carnegie-CASE Professor of the Year for Tennessee in 2009.

This talk is supported by the Beach Lewis fund of the IWU Biology Department and is co-sponsored by the IWU Environmental Studies Program and John Wesley Powell Audubon.

“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, Oct. 15
7 p.m.
Astroth Community Education Center Auditorium, Heartland Community College, Normal, Ill.

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.