Events at SERC

Dr. John Anderson, W.H. Drury Professor of Ecology/Natural History at College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, will present ISLANDS IN THE DEEP: Seabird Islands in the Gulf of Maine, the threats and promises of the 21st century.  Dr. Anderson’s talk will focus on the impact of sea level rise and the growing number of predators on seabirds throughout the northeast as well as the potential effects of conservation efforts by Federal, State, and non-governmental organizations. The difficulties of conservation when one protected species becomes a potential "problem" for other species will be discussed. The talk at Moore Auditorium is open to the public and free of charge. Donations welcome at the door.

Dr. Anderson studied at Berkeley and San Francisco State University, receiving his Ph.D. from the University of Rhode Island in 1987. His research is focused on colonial nesting sea birds and island ecology, centered around Great Duck Island in eastern Maine. He is interested in the use of technology in management of coastal and marine ecosystems.

Dr. Karen James of the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory will speak about some of her projects, including extracting DNA from one of Darwin's bird specimens to help a conservation plan in the Galapagos and repeating a botanical survey done by Darwin near his home, Down House. She will also talk about her work with The HMS Beagle Project, a UK-based charity that seeks to rebuild the famous little ship that carried Darwin around the world. The lecture will be held at the Moore Auditorium on the SERC campus and is free and open to the public. Donations are always welcome at the door.

The HMS Beagle Project uses hands-on learning to engage young people with science, while delivering original biodiversity and climate change research. The project is working to rebuild the sailing ship that carried Charles Darwin on ‘the most important event’ of his life. Built of larch and oak, the modern Beagle will use GPS navigation, satellite communications and modern safety equipment.

Before joining the MDI Bio Lab, Karen James was a postdoctoral researcher at the Natural History Museum in London, where she coordinated a scientific program around Charles Darwin's 200th birthday in 2009.

Dr. Thomas Huntington, Research Hydrologist with the US Geological Survey, will present a lecture at Moore Auditorium on the SERC campus. He will focus on the effects of climate change on hydrologic conditions in Maine from both an historical perspective and looking toward the future. The lecture is open to the public and free; donations always welcome at the door.

The Quebec Labrador Foundation/Acadian Internship program presents an evening with Tim Sample on Tuesday, August 21. Ticket information will be announced shortly. This event is a fundraiser for QLF.