February 6 , 2007 |
1. 'Corps of Discovery' Presentation -- Feb. 15
2. Is Racism in You? -- Next Tuesday
3. Arkansas Women in Agriculture Conference -- March 8-9
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1. 'Corps of Discovery' Presentation and Seminar -- Feb. 15-16. "A 21st Century Corps of Discovery - Everyday citizens documenting things of unimaginable wonder" will be presented Thursday, Feb. 15, at 7:30 p.m. in Giffels Auditorium in Old Main.
The presentation will be by Michael Jeffords and Susan Post, husband and wife on he staff of the Illinois Natural History Survey, about how they blend science and art to learn more about the natural world while making it more accessible to the non-scientific public. The departments of Entomology and Biological Sciences are sponsoring the event, along with the Nature Conservancy of Arkansas as part of its 25th anniversary.
Jeffords also will present a Department of Entomology seminar, "Picturing Nature: Science, Art and Aesthetics," in the Agriculture Building, Room 332, Feb. 16 at 1:30 p.m.
Rob Wiedenmann, Entomology department head, said Jeffords and Post have recruited volunteers to participate in documenting changes in the environment, particularly in areas that are undergoing restoration or other changes. He said they will discuss the value of teaching nature to the public and having ordinary citizens learn to observe and document the natural world around them.
The original Corps of Discovery, led by Lewis and Clark in 1804, inspired the 21st Century Corps of Discovery, Jeffords said. That expedition, commissioned by Thomas Jefferson, recorded the landscape, flora and fauna along a route from Missouri to the Pacific Ocean.
As organized by Jeffords and Post, the 21st Century Corps is documenting fixed locations that are constantly changing. Two such groups have been organized in Illinois in areas undergoing restoration. One is working in the Nature Conservancy's Emiquon Preserve along the Illinois River. The other group is working in the Cache River wetlands of southern Illinois.
"Our goal for these and, perhaps, future Corps of Discovery teams is simple," Jeffords said. "We aim to engage citizens who will add a creative, aesthetic dimension to their local lands and who will contribute to the total picture of the evolving, diverse landscape that is Illinois."
Jeffords is a senior scientist at the Illinois Natural History Survey, where he serves as the education and public relations coordinator. Post is a technical scientist at the Natural History Survey. Their creative efforts to translate science for the public have earned a number of national and state awards.
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2. Is Racism in You? -- Next Tuesday. The University of Arkansas chapter of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) is presenting a panel discussion, "Is Racism in You? A Look into Stereotypical Behavior," Tuesday, Feb. 13, from 3 to 5 p.m., in the Multicultural Center on the 4th floor of the Arkansas Union. Refreshments will be served.
The event is in observance of February as Black History month. More events are planned throughout the month, and an updated schedule is available at the UA Multicultural Center Web site at http://www.uark.edu/rd_vcsa/samc/575.htm.
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3. Arkansas Women in Agriculture Conference -- March 8-9. The 3rd annual conference of Arkansas Women in Agriculture is set for March 8-9 at the Hot Springs Convention Center.
AWIG president Janie Hipp, AEAB, said the conference theme is "Preparing Arkansas Women in Agriculture."
To register for the conference visit the Web site: www.arwomeninag.com.
A few of the many conference highlights will include a legislative panel and special legislative announcements; production issues for horse owners, cattle producers, poultry producers, fruit and vegetable producers; sessions for row crop producers, forest land owners and agricultural land owners; advanced estate and financial planning and advanced credit and financing; risk management and farm financial planning; direct marketing, agri-tourism and farmers markets information; legal issues; family and health updates; donation service projects (baby quilts & rice depot); and an evening mixer with popular horticulturalist Janet Carson.
AAES and Bumpers College Web sites:
http://aaes.uark.edu/
http://bumperscollege.uark.edu/