Various Alberta nature clubs are offering nature presentations to member clubs of Nature Alberta (Nature Calgary is a corporate member) through the NA Nature Hub. Here are some upcoming presentations that you are welcome to sit in on.
Nature Paradigms with Dr. Leroy Little Bear
Wednesday, January 12 at 7 p.m.
Thank you to the Lethbridge Naturalists’ Society for sharing this thought-provoking presentation with our entire Nature Network. Please share this with your members.
Speaker: Dr. Leroy Little Bear OC, AOE, University of Lethbridge
Description: You wake up every morning to what you think is ‘reality’….’this is the way it is’. Never thinking about the underlying foundational basis for what you think is real. There may be an objective reality ‘out there’. But paraphrasing Stephen Weinberg, a quantum physicist, an objective reality exists out there but, as soon as you put a human being in the picture, the human being puts a human interpretation on it. So, it is no longer an objective reality. It is simply an interpretation. Why does this happen? All societies at one time or another claim a territory. Over time, through mutual relationship with the totality of the territory, a culture arises. As part of the culture, interpretive criteria we call metaphysics/paradigms are developed. These become the society’s interpretive tools. One society’s interpretive tools are going to be different from another society’s interpretive tools because of different environmental and geographical settings. Therefore, different notions about nature and sustainability. The presentation will speak to some of the differences and ramifications of different societal interpretive tools.
More info: https://naturealberta.ca/lethbridge-naturalist-society-presents-dr-leroy-little-bear/
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84482149860?pwd=a1lmV0JnQm5Qdk5PVkNCTjlEZDR1Zz09
Exploring the Science Behind Citizen Science
Tuesday, January 25 at 7 PM
Speaker: Dr. Richard Schneider, Executive Director, Nature Alberta
Description: Participating in citizen science using apps like iNaturalist and eBird is great fun. But have you ever wondered what happens to your photos after you press the send button? We’re told that our observations are contributing to science and supporting conservation. But how? In this presentation, conservation biologist Dr. Richard Schneider will pull back the curtain and explain how it all works behind the scenes. He’ll also discuss the different forms that citizen science can take and provide tips for maximizing the value of your contributions.
More info: https://naturealberta.ca/exploring-the-science-behind-citizen-science/
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/83312394631?pwd=UzgzZ1RCKzJwaXZLaFVWeXVadHJhdz09
Contributors to Conflict And Coexist With Urban Coyotes
Tuesday, February 8 at 7 PM
Speaker: Colleen Cassady St. Clair, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta
Description: Interactions with coyotes are increasing in urban areas throughout Alberta and across North America. This presentation will review coyote research in my lab over the past 10 years showing how aspects of diet, habitat use, and health of coyotes contribute to conflict with people, and how civic policies and citizens can promote coexistence.
More info: https://naturealberta.ca/coexist-with-urban-coyotes/
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/83810924569?pwd=Z2tLNW96cEhWczdYNHQwQ2ZDQkx0UT09
Indigenous & Cultural Perspectives on Protecting Dark Skies Recording Now Available
Thank you to the Weaselhead/Glenmore Park Preservation Society for making this recording available. Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/fO1fn1a-WHI