Researchers participate in events in advance of Maine Science Festival

Experts affiliated with the University of Maine will take part in two events leading up to the sixth Maine Science Festival.

Ivan Fernandez, Distinguished Maine Professor in the Climate Change Institute and the School of Forest Resources, will participate in a Bangor Land Trust session titled “Bangor Climate Change: Resilience and Hope” from 9 a.m. to noon March 7 in the First National Bank Conference Room on Exchange Street in Bangor.

Fernandez will discuss what climate change is and what it’s not. Jerry Longcore, former forestry faculty assistant, will describe how climate change impacts wildlife as well as benefits of the Caribou Bog–Penjajawoc wildlife and recreational corridor.

There also will be discussion about carbon footprints and how people individually and collectively can make a difference with regard to climate change.

Several UMaine-affiliated scientists also will be part of a panel discussion, “Patterns in Nature: Art & Science Perspectives,” from 6–8 p.m. March 11 at the University of Maine Museum of Art in Bangor.

Featured artist Deirdre Murphy will discuss themes in her work that explores the connection between climate change and migratory bird patterns with panelists Amber Roth, assistant professor of forest wildlife management; Erik J. Blomberg, associate professor of wildlife ecology; Adrienne Leppold, who earned her Ph.D. at UMaine and is a state songbird specialist with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife; and George Jacobson, professor emeritus of biology and ecology.

Seating is limited at this free, public talk, so an RSVP is required. Contact Kathryn Jovanelli, 207.581.3370, kathrynj@maine.edu to reserve a seat.