Spring 2013

• SSC will be meeting every two weeks on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. in the Underground in the Memorial Center during the Spring semester
  
• Every other Saturday at 9 am there are Funks Grove workdays. For more information on the workday go here
• On February 28, at 7:00 p.m. in CNS C101 at IWU, Dr. Tih-Fen Ting, an Associate Professor of Environmental Studies at the University of Illinois at Springfield, will talk on "An Elusive and Rare Prairie Mammal: the Franklin’s Ground Squirrel in Central Illinois." The Franklin’s ground squirrel was listed as a threatened species in Illinois in 2004 and the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan lists it as a "species in greatest need of conservation." Population declines of this elusive Illinois resident have been widely attributed to the loss and fragmentation of tallgrass prairie habitat due to intensive agricultural practices. Dr. Ting will provide an overview of her research findings on the ecology of Franklin’s ground squirrels, as well as an update on their abundance, behavior, and habitat requirements in Central Illinois.
• A presentation by renowned nature photographer Tom Ulrich will occur on March 18 at 7:00 p.m. in CNS C101 at IWU. Tom’s work has been featured in National Geographic, National Wildlife, Time, Audubon, and many other publications. Originally from Illinois, he now resides outside of Glacier National Park in Montana, but returns to Illinois each year on his photo tour. Every year he dazzles his audiences with amazing photographs, tips for photographers and humorous narration. The focus of his presentation this year will include the nature of Alaska, Africa, and Glacier National Park, with a special feature on bird migration in south Texas.