2020 Community Nature Study Series at Highlands Center – Signals AZ

From Bats to Beetles and Beyond…2020 Community Nature Study Series

January 21 to February 20 – Tuesdays and Thursdays,
Classes will be held at the Highlands Center from 9am – 12pm
$25 per class; $225 for the entire series; HC Members SAVE 10%!
Call 928-776-9550 or highlandscenter.org/community-nature-study-series/
CNSS eBook

Join expert naturalists, researchers, and conservation leaders from across Arizona in this annual series celebrating the study of the natural world. Topics and presenters are carefully selected and classes are designed to be engaging and interactive. The Community Nature Study Series offers a wide range of topics from bats to beetles and beyond! Learn about local species, weather, conservation issues and more in this popular annual program. Classes are based in our indoor classroom at the Highlands Center and include a hands-on lab and/or field component. Register for individual workshops or the entire series! The number of participants per class is limited to ensure low student-teacher ratio. Nature Study Series classes are offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from January 21 to February 20, 2020. $25 per class; $225 for the entire series; HC Members SAVE 10%! Call 928-776-9550 or go to highlandscenter.org/

Tues, January 21 – Bat Diversity in the Neotropics and Arizona
José g. Martínez-Fonseca, NAU
Bats are one of the most common animals portrayed in media and lore throughout the centuries. What is so special about this critter, and why are there so many different species? The first presenter of our 2020 Community Nature Study Series will answer that and so much more!

Thurs, January 23 – Life in Stone: The Long and Extraordinary History of Life in Our Backyard
Christa Sadler, Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute
The Colorado Plateau region is one of the finest earth science laboratories in the world, and paleontological discoveries that are being made here are answering questions, solving mysteries, and making connections that help us understand the history of life worldwide. An extensive collection of real and cast fossils will be on hand for participants to explore.

Tues, January 28 – Biomimicry: Tapping into Nature’s Genius for Sustainable Solutions
Lily Urmann, ASU
Biomimicry is the conscious emulation of life’s genius, and offers a new perspective for a sustainable and regenerative future by asking the question: what lessons can we learn from the natural world? This workshop will guide you through the biomimicry process: identifying organism function and strategy, synthesizing design principles, and brainstorming applications for how we might learn from these time-tested solutions.

Thurs, January 30 – Communication and evolution of Sceloporus lizards in North America
Julio Rivera, ASU
Sceloporus lizards, also known as fence or spiny lizards, are native to North America and are known for their bright blue bellies that they use to communicate with other lizards. This program will focus on answering questions like how do lizards communicate when a trait has disappears, and how does this shift in communication reflect on their skull shape.

Tues, February 4 – Exploring Environmental DNA: A New Tool for Ecological Monitoring
Catherina Benson, Hillary Eaton and Matthew Valente, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
All organisms, from bacteria to humans, leave a genetic fingerprint in their environment, and researchers can detect these signals using modern molecular biology techniques. In this program, we will explore work from the ERAU Conservation Genetics and Wildlife Forensics Lab, as well as case studies in eDNA, ranging from its use in tracking insect pollinators to invasive species!

Thurs, February 6 – Evolution of the North American Monsoon
Dr. Dorothea Ivanova, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Have you ever wished you could predict the onset of these intense desert rainstorms? Embry-Riddle professor Dorothea Ivanova brings us a presentation on a very Arizona-relevant aspect of climate science: monsoons! Dr. Ivanova will lead you through computational research that has changed the way we view weather.

Tues, February 11 – Where the Wild Birds Are: Avian Biogeography in Arizona’s Changing Climate
Eric Hough, Maricopa County Parks
Would you like to learn more about where to find birds in Arizona? Then this workshop is for you! We will learn about the diverse vegetation zones that provide habitat for Arizona’s birds through interactive exercises and a bird walk around the center’s grounds.

Thurs, February 13 – Hotter and drier: How will trees respond to more extreme and frequent drought?
Drew Peltier, NAU
Trees drive global climate and drive the structure and function of forest ecosystems. As climate warms and dries, droughts are happening more frequently and they are also more extreme, being both hotter and drier. Participants will learn about the impacts of drought and tree growth, and the physiological processes that drive tree mortality.

Tues, February 18 – Cattle impacts on protected rivers in the Mogollon Highlands
Joe Trudeau, Center for Biological Diversity
Since 2017 the Center for Biological Diversity has surveyed nearly 400 miles of streams on US Forest Service lands in the Verde and Upper Gila Watersheds in Arizona and New Mexico for the presence of livestock grazing. Come learn what the Center is doing to protect these habitats, and how you can get involved.

Thurs, February 20 – A Day in The Life of Bark Beetles
Sneha Vissa, NAU
This workshop will explore the biology and ecology of bark beetles, with an emphasis on bark beetles native to the southwest United States. We will learn about the life cycle of bark beetles, how to identify different bark beetles (from beetle specimens and from tree barks), and how to diagnose the signs and symptoms of bark beetle attacks.

About the Highlands Center for Natural History
The Highlands Center for Natural History – The Highlands Center for Natural History is a non-profit organization developed to foster an appreciation for the Central Highlands of Arizona. Formed in 1996, the Center is a regional hub for lifelong learning, designed to invite discovery of the wonders of nature. The Highlands Center offers a wide array of programs and includes an inviting venue for community events. Supported by contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations and community partners.

Visit www.highlandscenter.org for more information.