Student Environmental Research Highlights - OWL Event

NOV 15 2018 10:00 AM

Hurstville Interpretive Center , Jackson County

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Student Environmental Research Highlights - OWL Event

Location

Hurstville Interpretive Center
18670 63rd Street
Maquoketa IA 52060
Hurstville Interpretive Center
(563) 652-3783 jacksonccb@jacksonccb.com

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Please call to place your reservation.

Event Summary

Join us for a lunch and learn program as faculty and students from the University of Dubuque present some of their most recent environmental research. Topics will include bat ecology in eastern Iowa and micro-plastics in freshwater systems.

Programs are free. Optional lunch is $8. Call (563) 652-3783 to RSVP for the optional lunch.

OWL programs are open to any and all adults that are interested in learning more about the environment and connect with like-minded individuals. OWL is a joint effort between Dubuque, Jackson & Jones County Conservation Departments. This is the last OWL program for 2018. Stay tuned for the 2019 lineup of programs and events!

Details on Presenters:

Presenter: Gerry Zuercher, Professor of Vertebrate Ecology, University of Dubuque

Title: On the wings of change: a recent history of bat ecology in eastern Iowa

Synopsis: The University of Dubuque bat ecology research team has been studying bats in eastern Iowa since 2012. Bat surveys have included mist-netting and acoustic detection. A significant effort has taken place at Effigy Mounds National Monument. During the past five years we have documented significant changes in the species composition of bat activity. The documented changes are mainly due to declines in bat species known to suffer from White-nose Syndrome.

Presenter: Amanda Magana, Dr. Adam Hoffman

Title: Little Things, Big Problems: Micro-plastics in Fresh Water

Synopsis: There has been increased attention concerning what we should be putting in and on our bodies related to products and food that we consume. It is thought that by putting pollutants in and on our body this will increase the health issues of an individual. Micro-plastics are a growing problem for the environment. Research has been mainly focused on how these pollutants effect the marine environment, but very little focus has been placed on the effects of micro-plastics in freshwater systems. We are currently researching freshwater systems, examining for micro-plastic presence, looking at how they might impact freshwater organisms, and looking at the surface chemistry of micro-plastics. This research has allowed us the chance examine if micro-plastics area growing problem in freshwater environments as well as in marine environments.