Welcome to the tremendous, amazing, Big Asheville Science Salon!
APRIL: CARBON VOYAGE
Catch a Ride on the Carbon Caravan with biogeochemist Dr. Julie Tierney.
You’ve heard of climate change (if not, someone probably added you to this mailing list as a joke. Welcome to the comforting light of objective rationality). You’ve heard carbon plays a role. But how, exactly, does this commonplace, unassuming atom wield such power that it can shape our entire planet’s climate? And, how do living organisms shepherd carbon along its journey from atmosphere to ecosystem and back again? And …what the hell do bison have to do with it (and why do we keep calling them buffalo)?
At the April salon, we’ll examine at least some of these questions with biogeochemist Dr. Julie Tierney. Navigating from the level of atoms to belching bison and all stops between, Dr. Tierney will share her research, conducted in collaboration with Tribal communities in the Southern Great Plains, into how bison grazing affects vegetation, soil processes, and greenhouse gas exchange in grassland ecosystems.
After graduating from UNC Asheville (go local!), Julie earned her PhD from Princeton University, investigating links between plant biodiversity and soil carbon in the Peruvian Amazon. Today, her research and applied work continue to emphasize a collaborative, community science approach to understanding climate change and developing mitigation and adaptation strategies. Julie works at the environmental NGO Collaborative Earth, where she leads research focused on grazing ecology, ecosystem restoration, and identifying how natural systems can offer climate solutions.
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!
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.