Welcome to the tremendous, amazing, Big Asheville Science Salon!
Our mission: Cultivate curiosity and build community by sharing the coolest, grooviest, and fascinating-ist scientific discoveries. And have a beer (or wine or soda).
How it do: Each month, a bona fide expert takes us on a thrill ride of science awesomeness (i.e., talk about their research and probably show pretty pictures). Afterwards, a lively Q&A segues into general mingling and chatting about why science is so cool.
When: First Wednesday of each month.
Doors: 6:00pm; Presentation: 7:00pm; Socializing: 8:00pm
Where: The Mule (at Devil’s Foot Beverage) 131 Sweeten Creek Rd., Asheville, NC 28803
No cover charge – just bring your brain!
June:
Deciphering Disturbance of Hurricane Helene with master arborist April Wilson.
If a tree falls in a forest, and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?
Ummm … yes, it does. It’s called physics, people (though I acknowledge that my simple inference might be disputed by quantum mechanics and its persistent attempts to soothe the awkward tension between philosophy and science).
But what if thousands of trees fall all at once (perhaps during, let’s say, a hurricane)? If no one is there to analyze the data, does it make a pattern? In this case, fortunately, we can avoid further philosophical entanglement because … in the weeks following Hurricane Helene, someone did collect tree failure data across Buncombe County and the patterns are emerging.
At the June salon, ascend our local urban forest canopy with master arborist April Wilson to survey the damage wrought by hurricane Helene. April is an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Board Certified Master Arborist and also maintains Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ). She has been a production climber and sales arborist in and around Asheville for nearly a decade, and runs her own company, Stump Sprouts Tree Consulting, providing complex removals, structural pruning, and strategies to maximize and amplify tree health.
Doors open at 5:00. Have a drink with old friends, meet new ones, and get ready for some serious science in a seriously un-serious setting.
Presentation starts at 7:00 PM. Stick around after for a lively Q&A, discussion, and general mingling.