The University of Wisconsin’s Trout Lake Station and Kemp Natural Resources Station are announcing a new monthly event called “Science on Tap” at the Minocqua Brewing Company.
For several decades, both research stations have studied the land and lakes of Wisconsin’s Northwoods. Too often, says Trout Lake Station director, Tim Kratz, that research has been out of sight and out of mind in the nearby communities.
“Researchers have a tendency to focus on their science rather than discussing their results with the public,” Kratz says. “But many of our staff and scientists are year-round residents of Vilas County and, we want to show our neighbors what we do and what we’re learning about the place we all call home.”
Along with the research stations, the event is co-sponsored by the Minocqua Brewing Company, the Minocqua Public Library and the Lakeland Badger chapter of the University of Wisconsin Alumni Association.
Want to learn more? Continue reading after the break or check out the new “Science on Tap” page on this blog! Perhaps we can get a similar event to migrate south Madison in the coming months…
All parties hope the series will let people who live in or visit the Northwoods learn about the landscape and also let researchers hear the concerns, interests and observations of anyone who’s been out on a boat, tromping through the woods or simply looking out their own back door.
The first event will take place on Wednesday, February 6th at 6:30pm. The directors of both stations will lead a discussion called “Wisconsin’s Northwoods: A Changing Landscape in Changing Times.”
The discussion will focus on the Northwoods’ storied history of human impacts – from logging and fishing to development and tourism. People have long been making their mark on this unique ecosystem and Steele and Kratz will share what they know about the last one hundred years of change in Northern Wisconsin and lead a conversation on what the future may hold.
“With each passing day, we put more and more demands on our natural resources,” says Steele. “Hopefully “Science on Tap” can help scientists and citizens share knowledge that will lead to wise resource decisions.”
The “Science on Tap” series will occur at Minocqua Brewing Company at 6:30pm on the first Wednesday of every month.
Hopefully, says Steele, “this will become a successful event where people know they can grab a beer, ask a few questions and get to know the folks who are exploring the past, present and future of Wisconsin’s incomparable Northwoods.”
WHEN: Wednesday, February 6th, 6:30-7:30PM
WHERE: Minocqua Brewing Company, 238 Lakeshore Drive Minocqua – Phone: (715) 356-2600
NEXT EVENT: Wednesday, March 6th, 6:30-7:30PM. Topic: Climate change and what it means for Northwoods lakes, forests and outdoor recreation. Speakers: John Magnuson, director emeritus, Center for Limnology, UW-Madison; Ankur Desai, associate professor, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, UW-Madison.
CONTACT: Trout Lake Station – 715-356-9494, Kemp Natural Resources Station – 715-356-9070 E-mail: media@limnology.wisc.edu