Videos and Livestreams - Lunchtime Lecture Series
The Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs hosts a guest lecture series called the Lunchtime Discovery Series. Professionals from a wide range of environmental backgrounds come and give presentations about their work and offer an opportunity for attendees to learn about a variety of subjects during the lunch hour. Topics range from spider diversity in North Carolina to Geographic Information Systems (GIS), to how to incorporate music in environmental education programming.
The are several taped presentations on a wide variety of environmental topics that can be used in the classroom to supplement existing lessons on ecosystems, natural resources, and North Carolina history.
You can sign up for weekly email notifications about upcoming lectures! Contact an office staff member if you have trouble subscribing.
Masters of Our Own Destiny - North Carolina African American Farmers
Melody Hunter-Pillion, Ph.D. Student, Public History, Department of History, NC State University
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 1st Floor
Wednesday, February 26 @ Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Melody Hunter-Pillion uses the oral histories of North Carolina’s African American farmers and fisherman to tell the story of how these families have shaped North Carolina and how they are dealing with heritage depletion, land loss and climate change.
Can’t attend in person? You can watch live https://livestream.com/naturalsciences/DailyPlanet and interact during the talk on the livestream chat or on Twitter: @NorthCarolinaEE #LunchTimeDiscovery https://twitter.com/NorthCarolinaEE
Warren County North Carolina – Birth of the Environmental Justice Movement
Dollie Burwell, Bill Kearney and Wayne Moseley
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 1st Floor
Wednesday, February 19 @ Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Dollie Burwell, Bill Kearney and Wayne Moseley discuss their role as community members in the Warren County PCB Landfill protests which
are recognized as the beginning of the Environmental Justice Movement in the United States.
Can’t attend in person? You can watch live https://livestream.com/naturalsciences/DailyPlanet and interact during the talk on the livestream chat or on Twitter: @NorthCarolinaEE #LunchTimeDiscovery https://twitter.com/NorthCarolinaEE
A Tale of Two Ships – One Ship with Two Identities – Queen Anne’s Revenge and La Concorde
Angela Thorpe, Director, North Carolina African American Heritage Commission
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 1st Floor
Wednesday, February 12 @ Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Angela Thorpe, director of the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission discusses Blackbeard’s flagship, Queen Anne’s Revenge, and its earlier life as the slave ship La Concorde.
Lunchtime Discovery Series: The Story of Sankofa Farms
Kamal Bell, Owner, Sankofa Farms
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 1st Floor
Wednesday, February 5 @ Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Kamal Bell, owner of Sankofa farms, tells us how he turned 12 acres of land in Cedar Grove, North Carolina into a place where teens can learn to grow their own food while developing important life skills. The talk will focus on the importance of learning from our past and rich history to help solve our problems of today, and how our youth represent the change that our community needs.
(Photos #1 and #3 by Juli Leonard, News & Observer)
Wild Ideas for Williamson Preserve – 406 Acres of Forests, Trails and Farms for You!
Sandy Sweitzer, Executive Director and Deja Smith, Community Engagement Associate, Triangle Land Conservancy
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 1st Floor
Wednesday, January 29 @ Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Triangle Land Conservancy’s Bailey and Sarah Williamson Preserve is a 405-acre mosaic of fields and forests just fifteen minutes from downtown Raleigh that will open to the public on April 25th. The property will host working farmland to support our local food scene, several unique ecosystems, and hiking and mountain biking trails that will connect to the Neuse River Greenway Trail, East Coast Greenway, and Mountains to Sea Trail. Come see how TLC and our partners are working to make the Triangle a more vibrant place to live, work, play, and eat!
Can’t attend in person? You can watch live https://livestream.com/naturalsciences/DailyPlanet and interact during the talk on the livestream chat or on Twitter: @NorthCarolinaEE #LunchTimeDiscovery https://twitter.com/NorthCarolinaEE
Searching for Intermediate Mass Black Holes in Spiral Galaxies with the Help of Citizen Scientists
Dr. Patrick Treuthardt, Assistant Head, Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Lab
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 1st Floor
Today @ Noon – 1:00 p.m.
How can you help solve the mystery behind the origins of supermassive black holes? Join us Wednesday, January 22 as North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences astrophysicist
Patrick Treuthardt explains how citizens are helping with his latest research project to find black holes by identifying spiral galaxies.
Fort Bragg - Longleaf Pines and the Saint Francis' Satyr
Brian Ball, Wildlife Biologist, Endangered Species Branch, Directorate of Public Works, Fort Bragg
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 1st Floor
Wednesday, January 15 @ Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Fort Bragg is one of our nation’s largest and most important military installations. In addition to the thousands of troops stationed there, Fort Bragg is home to over 1,500 species of plants and animals. Over 70 species of rare plants and animals can be found on the installation. Perhaps the most unique and one of the rarest species is the Saint Francis' Satyr, a federally endangered butterfly found on Fort Bragg and nowhere else in the world.
Barred, Barn, Great Horned and Screech (and sometimes Snowy) – Owls of North Carolina
Colleen Bockhahn, Assistant Park Manager, Lake Crabtree County Park
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 1st Floor
Wednesday, January 8, 2020 @ Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Owls are known as symbols of wisdom and magic. Gain some wisdom about our local owl species, and discover the magic behind their unique adaptations and natural histories. Did you know that great-horned owls prey on other owls? Which North Carolina owl species is declining in northern states? Get the answers to these questions and many more!
Dive Into North Carolina’s World War II Shipwrecks – Where the War Came Home
Shannon Ricles, Education and Outreach Coordinator, NOAA’s Monitor National Marine Sanctuary
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 1st Floor
Wednesday, December 11, 2019 @ Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Join us for a dive into "Torpedo Junction" to learn how in 1942, North Carolina became the area where World War II truly came home to America. Discover how NOAA and partners have worked for 12 years to document this important, but little known time in our nation’s history. Learn about the German U-boats that patrolled the waters, and about 86 Allied and merchant ships that sank in just six months. Marvel at the beautiful underwater images of these wrecks and hear stories of their brave crews. Dive 750 feet below the surface and see, for the first time in over 75 years, the wrecks of U-576 and SS Bluefields. Finally, learn NOAA’s next steps to protect these war graves and honor the men who fought and died in ridding the world of tyranny.
Can’t attend in person? You can watch live https://livestream.com/naturalsciences/DailyPlanet and interact during the talk on the livestream chat or on Twitter: @NorthCarolinaEE #LunchTimeDiscovery https://twitter.com/NorthCarolinaEE
Are Toxic Cyanobacterial Blooms Affecting the Air We Breathe?
Haley Elizabeth Plaas, North Carolina Sea Grant/Albemarle Pamlico National Estuary Partnership Research Fellow
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 1st Floor
Wednesday, December 4, 2019 @ Noon – 1:00 p.m.
In eastern North Carolina, the water quality of the Chowan River and Albemarle Sound is threatened by the recent expansion of toxin-producing, cyanobacterial algal blooms. There are well documented human health effects associated with the consumption of cyanotoxins through drinking water or food supply, but the potential risks associated with the inhalation of airborne toxins have received much less attention. Next summer, with the help of citizen scientist volunteers and the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, Plaas will be conducting a field study to better understand the environmental factors that promote toxin production in this region and to evaluate the presence of toxins in the air we breathe. Tune in to learn more about this research project!
Out of Sight but Not Out of Mind – Understanding the Importance of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation in the Coastal Waters of NC
Dr. Jud Kenworthy, Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee, Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 1st Floor
November 20, 2019 @ Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Join Dr. Jud Kenworthy as he explores the biodiversity, function and the ecological and economic value of submerged aquatic vegetation in the coastal waters of North Carolina. He will discuss the conservation of this important ecosystem and interactions between submerged aquatic vegetation, human activities and climate change.
The Pine Island Story – History, Heritage and Living Laboratory for Coastal North Carolina
Robbie Fearn, Director, Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Sanctuary and Audubon Center in Corolla, NC
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 1st Floor
November 13, 2019 @ Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Both the biologically diverse communities and human habitations of North Carolina’s Outer Banks must deal cope with a place in flux, one where the only constant is change. Ephemeral landscapes and ephemeral settlements abound here. So what does climate change and sea-level rise mean in such a landscape? What interventions make sense? How do humans and wildlife adapt and thrive? At the Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary in the far northern Outer Banks, they are working answer these questions through research, education and community collaborations. By preserving wild landscapes as well as the oldest standing Duck Club in Currituck County, Audubon safeguards the heritage of a community where the skies were historically blackened by waterfowl while simultaneously setting a course for a resilient future.
Can’t attend in person? You can watch live https://livestream.com/naturalsciences/DailyPlanet and interact during the talk on the livestream chat or on Twitter: @NorthCarolinaEE #LunchTimeDiscovery https://twitter.com/NorthCarolinaEE
Ghosts Forests of the Sounds - What Citizen Science is Teaching Us About NC's Changing Shores
Dr. Marcelo Ardon Sayao, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, N.C. State University
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 1st Floor
Wednesday, November 6 @ Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Ghost forests - areas with dead and dying trees - are a common sight along the North Carolina coast. Are ghost forests becoming more common along North Carolina’s shores? If they are, what does that mean for the provision of ecosystem services provided by coastal wetlands such as carbon sequestration and nutrient retention? In order to answer these questions, we are looking for volunteers to take pictures and collect basic information about cypress trees and send the information to a central website using a mobile device application.
Learn more about this unique citizen science project and how you can get involved.
Hunt Clubs of Currituck – How Nature Helped Create a Waterfowl Heritage
Sharon Meade, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 1st Floor
Wednesday, October 29, 2019
Noon – 1:00 p.m.
In the 50 year period from the 1870’s to the 1920’s over 100 gunning clubs and lodges were established in a one hundred mile long area of Back Bay and Currituck Sound. Learn how this change in Currituck Sound created a cottage industry and altered the lives, laws, education and people of Currituck County.
USS Monitor – The Most Famous Civil War Ironclad, Then and Now
Shannon Ricles, Education and Outreach Coordinator, NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 1st Floor
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Situated just 16 miles off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, rests the remains of the Civil War ironclad, USS Monitor. The Union's first ironclad battled against CSS Virginia on March 9, 1862, when iron met iron for the first time in history. Although the battle was a draw, naval technology changed forever. Join Shannon Ricles, Education and Outreach Coordinator for NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, for an overview of USS Monitor, learning its history, its discovery, and how it became our nation's first national marine sanctuary. Dive below the surface to learn about expeditions to the site, artifact recovery and conservation, and how the remains of two Monitor sailors were found in 2002. Hear the stories of this great ship from construction, to battle, to sinking, to present day, and what the future holds for the Monitor. 
Connecting People to Place - The East Coast Greenway
Sarah Sanford, Virginia and North Carolina Coordinator for the East Coast Greenway Alliance
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 1st Floor
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Noon – 1:00 p.m.
The East Coast Greenway is a 3,000-mile biking and walking route stretching from Maine to Florida. The vision is a continuous, protected path for cyclists, walkers, runners, skaters, equestrians, wheelchair users, and more, connecting people to nature and to their communities. In the Triangle region, the Greenway is 97% complete. We will hear from Sarah Sanford, Virginia and North Carolina Coordinator for the East Coast Greenway Alliance, about the East Coast Greenway in the Triangle and beyond.
Can’t attend in person? You can watch live https://livestream.com/naturalsciences/DailyPlanet or follow the discussion on Twitter: @NorthCarolinaEE #LunchTimeDiscovery https://twitter.com/NorthCarolinaEE
Patience is a Virtue - A Review of the Natural and Cultural Histories of Vultures with Examples from Around the World
John A. Gerwin, Research Curator, Ornithology, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 1st Floor
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Vultures are a prominent feature of our natural and cultural ecosystems and provide the ultimate “roadside assistance.” In some cultures they are highly regarded, whereas in others, they get little respect. John will discuss their fascinating natural, un-natural and evolutionary histories, along with results from some very recent studies of the vulture gut.
Crazy About Mushrooms: A Conversation with a Fungus Fanatic
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 1st Floor
Wednesday, October 2 @ Noon – 1:00 p.m.
North Carolina is home to over 2,000 fungal species, and the Piedmont is bursting with colorful and beautiful mushrooms.
Join amateur mycologist Anna McHugh for a tour of North Carolina's fungi, from the delicious to deadly.
Anna McHugh, a writer, mushroom hunter and mycological educator, currently works in marketing and content curation in Raleigh and has also worked in government, media relations, legal advocacy and in community and public radio. A longtime “mycophile,” she was the producer of the “Crazy About Mushrooms” documentary project and now leads mushroom walks in the Triangle area and beyond.
The Case of the Dead Fish, the Missing Oxygen and other Mysteries from the Neuse River Estuary
Dr. Dan Obenour, North Carolina State University
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 1st Floor
Wednesday, September 25 @ Noon – 1:00 p.m.
What are the major causes of oxygen depletion and fish kills in the Neuse River Estuary? Moreover, can we predict future water quality problems and identify possible solutions? Dr. Dan Obenour will explore these questions considering the relevant biological and physical processes, as well as insights from recent data-driven modeling.
Dr. Dan Obenour is an assistant professor in the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering at North Carolina State University where he focuses on analysis and modeling of surface water systems.
Can’t attend in person? You can watch live https://livestream.com/naturalsciences/DailyPlanet or follow the discussion on Twitter: @NorthCarolinaEE #LunchTimeDiscovery https://twitter.com/NorthCarolinaEE
Restoration & Reciprocity: The American Chestnut Tree, Biotechnology and Native American Perspectives
Dr. Katie Barnhill-Dilling, North Carolina State University
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 1st Floor
Wednesday, August 28 @ Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Should we use a genetically engineered tree to restore the once iconic American chestnut? How should such a decision be made? Who gets to make those decisions? Dr. Katie Barnhill-Dilling will discuss some of the complex perspectives about the restoration of the American chestnut tree, including those of some Native American communities in Upstate New York.
Dr. Katie Barnhill-Dilling is a postdoctoral research scholar in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources at North Carolina State University where she focuses on the social science of environmental decision-making.
Cicadas' Charismatic Cousins
Dr. Jason Cryan, Deputy Director and Chief, Research & Collections, NC Museum of Natural Sciences
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 1st Floor
Wednesday, August 21 @ Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Most people are familiar with cicadas, with their partially subterranean lifestyle and their signature songs. But, do you know about the amazing and sometimes unbelievable insect groups related to cicadas? Dr. Jason Cryan will discuss the fantastic diversity of planthoppers, treehoppers, and spittlebugs…the charismatic cousins of cicadas! 
Tracing Water through Cities – A Journey through the Pipes Underneath Our Streets
Dr. Krissy Hopkins, Research Physical Scientist, U.S. Geological Survey
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 1st Floor
Wednesday, August 14 @ Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Dr. Krissy Hopkins is a Research Scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey based out of the South Atlantic Water Science Center in Raleigh. Krissy’s research focuses on understanding ways that urban development alters the amount of water and pollutants delivered to streams and rivers. Join Krissy for a journey through the pipes that lie underneath our roadways and buildings to learn about how water infrastructure can help or harm our rivers and streams.
Species, Science and Smartphones: Using iNaturalist to Document Biodiversity
Chris Goforth, Head, Citizen Science, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 1st Floor
Wednesday, August 7 @ Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Put your smartphone or camera to good use documenting nature for science! Chris Goforth, head of citizen science at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, will walk you through how to use iNaturalist so that you can become a citizen scientist and share the wildlife you see with scientists worldwide.
The Effects of Urbanization on Populations of Freshwater Fish in NC
Emilee Briggs, North Carolina State University
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 1st Floor
Wednesday, July 31 @ Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Streams are important ecosystems - they make up the majority of river miles in the United States and provide habitat for numerous species. But what lives in urban streams? And how can these fish communities help us understand the impacts of cities on freshwater? Come find out more about the fish that live in our own backyard!
Central American Ethnobotany – From Belize to the Museum’s Living Conservatory
Dr. Jillian M. De Gezelle, North Carolina State University
N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 3rd Floor, Room 3512
*This talk will begin in the Environmental Literacy Center, 3rd Floor, Room 3512 and will include a tour of the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences’ Living Conservatory
Wednesday, July 24 @ Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Dr. Jillian De Gezelle is an ethnobotanist and Teaching Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology at North Carolina State University. Jillian’s research focuses on medicinal and edible plants, systems of traditional medicine, plants of spiritual significance, and biocultural diversity conservation in the Americas. Join Jillian for a talk on Central American ethnobotany, highlighting medicinal and other culturally significant plants of Belize, followed by a walk to see some of the same plant species growing in the Museum’s own Living Conservatory!
North America’s Largest High School Environmental Education Competition Comes to North Carolina
Gail Hughes, Orange Soil and Water Conservation District and Millie Langley, Guilford Soil and Water Conservation District
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 1st Floor
Wednesday, July 10 @ Noon – 1:00 p.m.
This July and August, North Carolina is hosting the largest high school Environmental Education Competition with an expected 450-500 students, advisors, educators, volunteers and guests from across the US, Canada and China attending. The National Conservation Foundation Envirothon program is a competitive event for high school and middle school teams who compete in a natural resources knowledge and ecology field day against other teams. It stimulates, reinforces and enhances students’ interest in the environment and our state’s natural resources. Join us to learn how NCF-Envirothon competition creates future leaders in the conservation, agricultural and environmental fields and find ways you can be involved in the competition and program.
Using Drones to Respond to Environmental Disasters
Basil Yap, Unmanned Aircraft System Program Manager, Division of Aviation, North Carolina Department of Transportation
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 1st Floor
June 26 @ Noon – 1:00 p.m.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation Division of Aviation led the drone response to Hurricane Florence for the state. The department deployed fifteen drone teams and gathered numerous pictures and videos that were critical to hurricane response. In addition, the Division of Aviation used drones to livestream evacuation routes. The division is also leading a departmentwide integration of drones and has explored a variety of drone applications including herbicide application and endangered species monitoring.
Armadillodiles, Turtle-Pigs and other Strange Prehistoric Animals of North Carolina
Dr. Christian F. Kammerer, Research Curator of Paleontology, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 1st Floor
June 19 @ Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Underlying the Triangle area are rocks from the Triassic Period (~230 million years old) at the beginning of the Age of Dinosaurs. These rocks yield a diverse fauna of prehistoric reptiles and amphibians, including heavily armored crocodile-relatives, giant salamander-like predators and tusked protomammals. Come learn about these strange ancient creatures and their environments, as well as the fieldwork currently being done by NCMNS scientists to excavate their remains.
North Carolina Forest Preharvest Planning Tool – A Digital Hub for Forests
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Resources’ Nature Research Center
When harvesting forest products, North Carolina’s landowners must factor in a number of considerations, including water quality, threatened and endangered species, and soil health. To assist with this process, the North Carolina Forest Service has developed the Forest Preharvest Planning Tool – a free online tool for forest landowners, resource management professionals, and anyone interested in learning more about North Carolina’s forestland. Find out more about what the tool offers, and how it can make forestry in North Carolina more sustainable.
An Unknown World of Small Creatures
N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 3rd Floor, Room 3512
Wednesday, June 5 @ Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Tracy Feldman, Assistant Professor, St. Andrews University – A Branch of Webber International University
The extent of Earth's biodiversity is still unknown--sometimes we do not even know about species in our own backyards. Many small insects live most of their lives in tiny spaces and may remain undetected; thus, new species may be all around us, waiting to be discovered. Find out about the discoveries of leaf-mining and stem-mining insects in North Carolina and the potential for citizen science projects that tap into this unknown world.
Bikes, Water and Soul - Introducing Cycling to Diverse Youth
Bikes, Water and Soul - Introducing Cycling to Diverse Youth
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 1st Floor
Wednesday, May 22 @ Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Kevin Hicks, Founder and Executive Director, Triangle Bikeworks
Ever wonder why so few youth of color are into organized cycling? Triangle Bikeworks has. That’s why they're offering a form of cross country cycling that is unmatched in the state of North Carolina. Come find out how they flipped the norms of biking to re-introduce youth to one of their first loves.
Beachcombing Biology
Terri Kirby Hathaway, Marine Education Specialist, North Carolina Sea Grant
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 1st Floor
May 15 @ Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Everything you find on the beach has a story behind it, whether the object is natural or manmade. Discover some of the tales behind treasures found while beachcombing on our beaches. Explore seashells and the shell-makers, the secrets of crabs and corals and the mysteries behind floating items that are blown onto the seashore!
The Oyster Reef Chorus – Using Estuarine Soundscapes to Assess Habitat Health of NC Oyster Reefs
Olivia Caretti, North Carolina State University
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 1st Floor
May 8 @ Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Imagine diving head-first underwater in a North Carolina estuary…. You think it will be peaceful and quiet once you jump in but instead are greeted by a cacophony of fish and invertebrate songs. The Marine Ecology and Conservation Lab at NC State University is listening to these songs to help decipher who, when, and why species are using underwater habitats. Please join us to find out: what can we learn by eavesdropping on these choruses?
African Safari - A Look at Africa's Incredible Wildlife
African Safari - A Look at Africa's Incredible Wildlife
N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 3rd Floor, Room 3512
Wednesday, May 1 @ Noon – 1:00 p.m.
John Kinsella
Join us Wednesday at noon for a look at the amazing biodiversity of southern Africa. Many of the species in this part of the world are under constant threat from human activity. This presentation will enhance your appreciation of these biological treasures and teach you about efforts to protect and preserve them.
John Kinsella is a volunteer at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences’ Arthropod Zoo. He retired after a 38-year career with the Animal and Plant Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The Power of Play – How Play Creates Community, Connection and Possibility
The Power of Play – How Play Creates Community, Connection and Possibility
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Nature Research Center, 1st Floor
Wednesday, April 24 @ Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Harden Engelhardt, VP, Play, Kara Strange, Director of Community Engagement, Shenette Swann, Play Coordinator, Even Cooper, Play Coordinator, Marbles Kids Museum
Abandoned Byways - Exploring North Carolina's Fading Trails
You can “tweet” along with us on Twitter: @NorthCarolinaEE #LunchTimeDiscovery https://twitter.com/NorthCarolinaEE
Joe Miller has written about outdoor adventure in the Southeast since 1992. He wrote a weekly outdoor adventure column, Take It Outside, for The News & Observer in Raleigh for 10 years, and has written for various online sites including his own website, GetGoingNC.com since 2009. He is the author of three books including 100 Classic Hikes in North Carolina, Backpacking North Carolina and Adventure Carolinas. He leads hiking and camping trips, as well as backpacking excursions. Join us on Wednesday at noon as Joe Miller takes us on a journey to some of the lesser known trails of the triangle and beyond.
Primitive Ways in an Accelerated World
The Big Easy (2017) Sarah P Duke Gardens of Duke University, Durham, NC. Photo: Michael Maundy
Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future - Women in STEM Panel Discussion
Kyla Bloyer, Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center
Dr. Bronwyn W. Williams, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Dale Threatt-Taylor, Wake Soil and Water Conservation District
Kusondra King, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences’ Nature Research Center
Wednesday, March 27, Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Join us for a special panel discussion with four women working in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in North Carolina who will give us a glimpse into their unique experiences and the challenges of working in STEM careers as women.
Tales of Tar, Pitch and Turpentine - Naval Stores in North Carolina
“Here’s to the Land of the Longleaf Pine...” Join us Wednesday as Carolina Beach State Park Superintendent Chris Helms shares a legacy of the naval stores industry in North Carolina and how its legacy lives on in the “Tar Heel” state.
Can’t attend in person? You can watch live https://livestream.com/naturalsciences/DailyPlanet or “tweet” along with us on Twitter: @NorthCarolinaEE #LunchTimeDiscovery https://twitter.com/NorthCarolinaEE
Art in Bloom - Art, Flowers and Imagination
Laura Finan, Coordinator of Programs for the North Carolina Museum of Art, talks about what it takes to transform a museum into an indoor garden. Laura developed Art in Bloom with the hopes that it would be repeatable. Now in its fifth year, the event has become a Raleigh tradition and a celebration of spring. Join Laura Wednesday to learn the history and the hopes for this sweet-smelling festival of art and flowers.
Can’t attend in person? You can watch live https://livestream.com/naturalsciences/DailyPlanet or “tweet” along with us on Twitter: @NorthCarolinaEE #LunchTimeDiscovery https://twitter.com/NorthCarolinaEE
Cary's Good Hope Farm - Supporting Farmer's, Preserving History and Connecting Community to Local Food
Erin Crouse, The Conservation Fund and Sarah Justice, Town of Cary
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences’ Nature Research Center
Wednesday, March 6, Noon – 1:00 p.m.
As the Triangle has grown, much of the farmland in our region has been lost to development. How can public-private partnerships meet increased demand for local food and support sustainable agriculture? Come learn about Good Hope Farm, a 29-acre urban farm partnership project with the Town of Cary that preserves farmland, opens opportunities to the next generation of farmers and engages the community around agriculture and local food.
Civilian Conservation Corps in North Carolina
Jason Anthony, Park Ranger, Hanging Rock State Park
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences
February 27, Noon – 1:00 p.m.
The Civilian Conservation Corps was one of the most popular and successful of President Roosevelt’s New Deal programs during the Great Depression. The work that the Corps did in North Carolina and beyond gave us many state and national parks that are prized for their scenic beauty and diversity of natural resources. Come learn about the events that precipitated the Great Depression, the background and history of the Civilian Conservation Corps, and the legacy that they left us.
Living in the World's Wood Basket
Dr. Elizabeth Nichols, Dr. Rachel Cook and Dr. Zakiya Leggett, North Carolina State University
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences’ Nature Research Center
Wednesday, February 20, Noon – 1:00 p.m.
It’s time to talk trees! On Wednesday we welcome three professors from NC State University’s forestry program. We’ll hear from Dr. Elizabeth Nichols, Dr. Rachel Cook, and Dr. Zakiya Leggett about sustainable forestry and North Carolina’s forestry industry. We’ll also hear an interesting story about using trees to treat wastewater...Join us at noon at the Daily Planet Theater to hear from this knowledgeable tree-o of scientists.
NC Space Grant - Developing the Next Generation of Explorers
Did you ever have a childhood dream of becoming an astronaut? Or maybe you still do... Join us on Wednesday to learn about the future of North Carolina’s aerospace workforce. Sandy Canfield, Assistant Director of NC Space Grant, will tell us about Space Grant’s work to support aeronautics and space-related education in North Carolina.
Least Brook Lamprey - One of the Least Known of Our Native Fishes in My Backyard and Maybe Yours!
Join Jerry Reynolds on a grand safari to his backyard and learn about the Least Brook Lamprey. The Least Brook Lamprey is certainly one of our least known native fishes with a very interesting lifestyle. This will truly be an immersive experience as Jerry goes to great depth to show you their energetic spawning behavior.
Urban Beekeeping
Ben Dictus, Lead Beekeeper for Bee Downtown, a business in Durham that installs and maintains beehives to build healthy bee populations, will join us Wednesday to talk about urban beekeeping - its history and challenges. Ben will tell us more about what Bee Downtown does with urban beekeeping and will compare urban beekeeping to other types of beekeeping.
Appalachian High: breeding birds of the NC Southern Appalachian Mountains
John Gerwin
Research Curator, Ornithology, NC Museum of Natural Sciences
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences’ Nature Research Center
Wednesday, January 16, Noon – 1:00 p.m.
A sizeable number of wildlife species (not just birds) reach the southern limit of their breeding range in the higher mountains of North Carolina. John Gerwin, Research Curator of Ornithology, will “high”-light results from several breeding-bird projects conducted in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. In addition, John will showcase the natural histories of a handful of other species that breed only at the higher elevations in NC.
Seacoast Plants of the Carolinas
Dr. Paul Hosier, University of North Carolina Wilmington
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences’ Nature Research Center
Wednesday, January 9, Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Dr. Paul Hosier, coastal plant ecologist and author of Seacoast Plants of the Carolinas – A New Guide for Plant Identification and Use in the Coastal Landscape will join us this Wednesday to explore the amazing plant life that thrives along the North Carolina coast. He will highlight our diverse coastal plant community including the five major plants that cover most of North Carolina’s dunes, and the trees, shrubs, and marsh plants that characterize the major ecological zones along the shore. Dr. Hosier will discuss some of the “all too successful” invasive plants along the coast and some of the more interesting and useful plants such as figs and mistletoe. Join us and find out more about the benefits of conserving and landscaping with native plants.
A Look at Carolina Bays in Southeastern North Carolina
Dr. Lee Phillips, Director of Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creativity Office at UNC Greensboro, discusses the distribution, timing and origins of Carolina Bays and his research at Jones Lake State Park. This was student-driven research Dr. Phillips cooridnated while on faculty at UNC Pembroke, supported in part by NC Space Grant. Presented on December 19, 2018.
There's No Place Like Home - Photographing the Incredible Biodiversity of the Tarheel State
Todd Pusser
Todd Pusser Photography
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences’ Nature Research Center
Wednesday, December 13th, Noon – 1:00 p.m.
A native of the North Carolina Sandhills, photographer Todd Pusser has traveled the globe in search of wildlife. His photographs have earned awards in prestigious international wildlife photo competitions and are published in books, calendars, and magazines around the world.
Though Todd photographs everything from blue whales to penguins, he has a soft spot for the wildlife of North Carolina. In his talk on December 12, he will discuss a wide range of topics from 20 years of exploring his home state’s biodiversity including his adventures photographing sharks off the NC coast, snorkeling with hellbenders in mountain streams, and photographing fox squirrels near his childhood home. To see more of his work please visit www.ToddPusser.com.
Tales from an Insect Diagnostician – The Good, the Bad and the Wacky
Dr. Matt Bertone, North Carolina State University
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences’ Nature Research Center
Wednesday, December 5th, Noon – 1:00 p.m.
What’s a workday like for a “pest detective?” Join Dr. Matt Bertone, entomologist with N.C. State University’s Plant Disease and Insect Clinic, as he shares some of the intriguing and entertaining questions and cases he’s fielded while helping farmers, gardeners and homeowners with their arthropod mysteries.
The Oyster Reef Chorus – Using Estuarine Soundscapes to Assess Habitat Health of NC Oyster Reefs
Fins, Flukes and Photos - Using Photo Identification on Cetaceans
There are over 80 species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises around the world and with those species come many scientific questions. Photo identification is one way that these animals are studied in a non-invasive manner. When these marine mammals come up to breath we take photos of their dorsal fins and flukes to identify them. That information can then be used to answer questions about population counts, habitat associations, group associations, and much more.
More than A Green Space - The Camden Street Learning Garden Story
Invasion of the Body Snatchers - Parasites that Create Zombies
Looking Again – Discovering Natural History in the N.C. Museum of History’s “Look Again” Photo Exhibit
Barred, Barn, Great Horned and Screech (and sometimes Snowy) - Owls of North Carolina
Owls are known as symbols of wisdom and magic. Gain some wisdom about our local owl species, and discover the magic behind their unique adaptations and natural histories. Did you know that great-horned owls prey on other owls? Which North Carolina owl species is declining in northern states? Get the answers to these questions and many more!
Backyard Composting
Have a compost bin that not's doing what you expected? Want to start composting but don't know how? Learn how to successfully compost food scraps, yard debris, and 100 more items. Rhonda Sherman’s areas of expertise are vermicomposting, composting, recycling and waste reduction. She gives about 40 presentations annually and has authored over 65 publications on these topics. Considered a leading authority on vermicomposting, Rhonda has received inquiries from people in 110 countries and taught composting and vermicomposting in Guyana, Dominican Republic, Argentina, Chile, and throughout the United States.
Trinidad and Tobago - Adventures in Tropical Herping
Creating a "Community of Compost" with CompostNow
and builds healthy soil with local collection service, CompostNow!
Not at All That Far-Fetched - The Amazing Dogs of Allison Woods
Not at All That Far-Fetched - The Amazing Dogs of Allison Woods
Paige Jackson, Education Director, Allison Woods Outdoor Learning Center
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences’ Nature Research Center
Wednesday, August 22, Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Learn more about Allison Woods Outdoor Learning Center and see a demonstration of one of their amazing dogs in action! The “Turtle Dogs” of Allison Woods Outdoor Learning Center work with instructors to educate students about North Carolina’s official state reptile, the Eastern Box Turtle. These dogs are specifically bred and trained to aid in research and field studies of turtles (endangered and threatened species) and to retrieve them, bringing them to their handlers unharmed for documentation. The dogs are used in both research and field trip programs and are recognized nationwide by conservationists and preservationists alike. Seen on Animal Planet’s Dogs 101, PBS, UNC-TV and numerous magazines including an upcoming issue of Field and Family, they are a one of a kind program that students and adults love!
The Milky Way - Our Home Galaxy
The Milky Way - Our Home Galaxy
August 8, 2018, SECU Daily Planet Theater, NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Dr. Patrick Treuthardt briefly discusses the history of how we "discovered" the Milky Way and our place in it. He explores our galaxy's structure, supermassive black hole, dark matter halo, origin, and eventual fate.
A Garden for Life, Patrick McMillan, South Carolina Botanical Garden
A Garden for Life, Patrick McMillan, South Carolina Botanical Garden
NC Museum of Natural Sciences Nature Research Center, July 31, 2018
As director of the South Carolina Botanical Garden, Emmy-Award-winning television host and naturalist Patrick McMillan sees the role of public garden as a place to encourage people to maintain their own beautiful spaces in a sustainable way. Patrick shares how the modern garden is being transformed into habitats for pollinators and wildlife, and provides lessons on increasing the diversity of life in your own garden.
Environmental Justice - Dismantling Inequity and Enabling Sustainability Where We Live, Work and Play
SECU Daily Planet Theater, N.C. Museum of Natural Resources’ Nature Research Center
Wednesday, July 25, Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Hop, Slither and Crawl into Action! The Role of Citizen Science in Conservation of Reptiles and Amphibians
Hop, Slither and Crawl into Action! The Role of Citizen Science in Conservation of Reptiles and Amphibians
July 18, 2018. SECU Daily Planet Theater
Jeff Hall, Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Biologist, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
Citizen science projects have taken the opportunity to capitalize on the popularity of social media and have become important tools for collecting species data. Although citizen science is more common within the birding community with projects such as the Christmas Bird Count and e-Bird, fewer projects have focused on amphibians and reptiles. Recently, however, there has been an increase in herp-related citizen science projects, such as HerpMapper, iNaturalist, and the Terrapin Tally. Join us Wednesday at noon as we discuss these projects and explore the data obtained through them. We will also examine the value of some longer-running citizen science projects such as the Carolina Herp Atlas and the North Carolina Calling Amphibian Survey Program.
Sea Turtles Dig the Dark - The Use of Drones to Monitor Light Pollution on NC Beaches
Sea Turtles Dig the Dark - The Use of Drones to Monitor Light Pollution on NC Beaches
Anna Windle explains what her research has discovered about light pollution and the nesting behavior of sea turtles! Artificial nighttime light has detrimental impacts on nesting sea turtles and sea turtle hatchlings. Nesting sea turtles appear to avoid brightly lit beaches and can turn back to sea prematurely when exposed to artificial light. Sea turtle hatchlings often travel towards bright artificial lights instead of reaching the ocean. Light pollution has been quantified using a variety of methods; however, it has proven challenging to make accurate measurements of ambient light at fine scales and on smaller nesting beaches. Using an autonomous terrestrial rover, high-resolution light measurements were collected from a sea turtle’s perspective and analysis showed significantly different nesting densities in different areas of the beaches from varying light levels.
Afrofuturism, Black Panther and Environmental Science
Afrofuturism, Black Panther and Environmental Science
The movement and aesthetic of Afrofuturism has been defined by many and operates around science-fictional identity and visioning. We will journey into some of its realms in music, film, literature, visual art and environmental science. Starting with film and the now popular cinematic "Black Panther," this informative lecture will leave you in awe. Darrell Stover, North Carolina State University.
North Carolina's Estuarine Sharks: Habitat and Movement Ecology of Top Predators in the Sounds
North Carolina's Estuarine Sharks: Habitat and Movement Ecology of Top Predators in the Sounds
Lunchtime Discovery Series, March 21, 2018
Sharks are often thought of as creatures of the open ocean or the coast, but many species regularly visit or spend a large portion of their lives in estuaries. Hosting the second-largest estuarine ecosystem in the continental United States, North Carolina provides ample habitat for a variety of shark species. However, dependence on estuarine habitats also puts sharks in close proximity to humans. Dr. Charles Bangley introduces us to the shark community of North Carolina’s sounds and shows how scientific surveys and tagging technology might help us coexist with these important predators.
NC Aquariums: Collective Action for Sea Turtle Conservation
NC Aquariums: Collective Action for Sea Turtle Conservation
Lunchtime Discovery Series, March 14, 2018
The North Carolina Aquariums, with support from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have a long history of sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, release and conservation education. Hap Fatzinger, Director of the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores highlights how sea turtles are being saved from extinction through collaborations with their conservation partners.
The Rise and Fall of the Industrial Oyster, Dr. Matthew Booker, NCSU
The Rise and Fall of the Industrial Oyster, Dr. Matthew Booker, NCSU
Lunchtime Discovery Series, January 24, 2018
Dr. Matthew Booker uses the intertwined histories of humans and shellfish to explore changes in American eating habits, urbanization, and a shift towards industrial agriculture that’s been going on since the mid-19th century. Most people encountered modern life through their food and drink, both of which became the focus of consumer fear and governmental regulation. This talk will use a forgotten urban staple, oysters, to explore the risks of industrialization and the profound consequences of environmental protections in the early twentieth century.
Following Sharks, Chris Fischer, OCEARCH
Following Sharks, Chris Fischer, OCEARCH
NC Museum of Natural Sciences' Science Cafe, January 26, 2017
What kind of sharks live along the North Carolina coast? Where and when do these sharks travel near our state? Join us to learn about the research being conducted by OCEARCH, an organization generating critical scientific data related to tracking (telemetry) and biological studies of keystone marine species such as great white and tiger sharks. Our speaker will introduce us to the Global Shark Tracker, which allows the public to track and learn about sharks in near real time for free. This science cafe is brought to us through a partnership with the Department of Environmental Quality and the NC Aquariums.
Meanders Through Time - Rivers in Art and History
Meanders Through Time - Rivers in Art and History
Steve Bevington, Division of Land and Water Stewardship, N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
The Amazon River? The Deep? The Eno or the Colorado or the Yangtze? Perhaps the Yukon, Limpopo or the Seine? Which rivers have wound their way into your heart? Steve Bevington will explore rivers as they meander out of ancient hills through our shared experiences and into the sea.
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences' Videos
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences has a wealth of videos of their Science Cafes, LIVE feeds, and special events can be used to enhance your curriculum. These are archived on their Facebook page.
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