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CONSERVING THROUGH RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

WELCOME

Hi all. We have solidified things for World Wetlands Day and so take the opportunity here to update you about that. We have several activities going on in the evening at Purdue University Fort Wayne, and also provide reminders about the other happenings with collaborators across town that day.  I really wanted to have our presentations in the new ERC, but alas it is not ready yet (even remotely), so we are doing our thing next door in the Science Building. More on progress below. And following on that, we tell you about the activities of interior design students we engaged to help us envision what might happen inside the ERC.
 
Exciting times. Thanks for joining us for the ride!

Bruce Kingsbury, Director 

More Than Mosquitoes and the rest of World Wetlands Day

 

Our plans are set for February 2nd!

As the sun sets on World Wetlands Day, please join us over at Purdue University Fort Wayne for a presentation and more. Dr. Bruce Kingsbury, director of the Environmental Resource Center (ERC) will present “Wetland Wildlife – More than Mosquitoes.”

Come a little early and get some chili!

The evening agenda:

6 PM:  The chili supper will be available from 6pm to 6:45.

6:15(ish):  Dr. Kingsbury will provide a brief update about the new home for the ERC.

7 PM:  “Wetland Wildlife – More than Mosquitoes”  

Presentations are appropriate for all ages.  All activities will be on the first floor of the Science Building at Purdue Fort Wayne.

To help us with logistics, please RSVP to erc@pfw.edu about: your interest in a) the two talks and b) that bowl of chili – and let us know how many are coming!

The presentations are free, but if you want to join us for the chili supper, the cost is $10.00.  For the supper, you must RSVP by Tuesday, January 29.   The chili supper is BYOS&F – Bring Your Own Spoon and Fork.  Help us reduce plastic waste! If you forget, don’t worry, we will have utensils on hand.

No matter if Punxutawney Phil sees his shadow or not, a bowl of chili and a survey of the bounty of wetlands will point us towards spring! 

The Complete World Wetlands Day Schedule:

Earlier in the day across town folks can enjoy a Wetland Hike hosted by ACRES or a Wetland Bird Sit with Allen County Parks. Want to learn how a wetland is working to clean up our rivers? Then visit Camp Scott for an informative hike hosted by the City of Fort Wayne. Want to get your hands dirty with wetland restoration? Join LRWP and INPAWS for a wetland plant propagation workshop. Events are spread across the day and participants can attend all events for a special prize at the end of the evening. Details below. To learn more about World Wetlands Day please visit www.worldwetlandsday.org.

10am – ‘Share the Trails’ hike, presented by ACRES Land Trust, location is the Tom and Jane Dustin Nature Preserve, 1802 Chapman Road, Huntertown, IN 46748. For more information, please contact Lettie Haver at lhaver@acreslandtrust.org.

12pm – Camp Scott ‘Wetlands at Work’ hike, presented by the City of Fort Wayne, location is Camp Scott, 3615 Oxford Street in Fort Wayne, 46806. For more information, please contact Susan Beck at 260-427-6213 or susan.beck@cityoffortwayne.org.

1:30pm – Wetland Seed Propagation Class, presented by Little River Wetlands Project and INPAWS, location is the LRWP office, 5000 Smith Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46804. Space is limited, please email Betsy Yankowiak at b.yankowiak@lrwp.org to secure your spot, or for more information.

3:30pm – Wetland Bird Sit, presented by Allen County Parks, location is at the Vera Dulin Wildlife Observation Center, Fox Island County Park, 7324 Yohne Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46809. For more information, please contact Ron Zartman at rzartman@allencountyparks.org.

7pm – ‘Wetland Wildlife – More than Mosquitoes’, presented by Dr. Bruce Kingsbury, location is the Environmental Resources Center, Purdue Fort Wayne, 2101 E. Coliseum Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46805. For more information, please email Dr. Kingsbury at erc@pfw.edu.

This global celebration of wetlands aims to raise awareness of the indispensable role of wetlands around the world. The date also marks the 48th anniversary of the signing of the Ramsar Convention, an agreement among 168 nations that prioritizes wise-use and protection of wetlands.

Wetlands provide many vital ecosystem services, including water filtration, habitat for wildlife, and climate regulation. They are also important for flood mitigation, erosion control, and recreation, all of which benefit people directly. You can participate in this worldwide celebration of wetlands in Fort Wayne by attending any or all of the scheduled events of the day!

Updates on our Big Move

 

Preparations for the move continue! The prior occupants have relocated to their new digs, and cleaning, demolition and re-purposing are underway. 

So many great things are going to happen here. Our thanks to the donors who have begun to step up. Much more to come, but for now, here is a "before" picture showing work underway to replace the ceiling. And look at the view out that window - what a great place for a meeting or workshop!
image of re-purposing the ERC

Looking Forward: a Cross-Campus Collaboration

 

The education element of our mission goes well beyond biology, and includes the aim to encourage opportunities for collaboration and learning across campus and beyond. The work of Interior Design students Miranda Grate and Kailee Winfree, supervised by professor Suining Ding, has been an expression of that.

As part of their Interior Design senior seminar course, Miranda and Kailee came up with detailed designs for our new space. A sample of that effort is shown below. The students did impressive work, incorporating sustainability in all parts of their designs, from responsibly sourced furniture and flooring materials to non-toxic paints. They also offered creative plans for a green aesthetic. 
 
While we certainly benefit greatly from such collaborations, the goal is to provide opportunities for students to gain perspective and engage with their education in new ways. The feedback we get about such experiences shows that we are on the right track. Miranda shared that "this project has really challenged me to think about sustainability on a local level. Seeing the ERC tackle this project with such a focus on student empowerment and environmental issues really makes me proud to be a part of this university project."

We appreciate the time and ideas that both Miranda and Kailee have contributed and are eager to continue taking part in collaborations, on and off campus. If you are interested in working with the Environmental Resources Center, please feel welcome to contact us!

Actionable Advice: Reducing your Impact

 

This fall, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a group composed of the world's leading climate scientists, published a special report. It includes projections of impacts we can expect to experience if global temperatures rise to 1.5˚C or 2˚C above pre-industrial levels. Importantly, this report shares that even at the lower projection, not all are safe from impact. Vulnerable communities can still expect to face displacement, food insecurity, and other challenges. Furthermore, in both projections, there will be some increase in extreme heat events, sea level rise, species loss, and ecosystem shifts, though at 2˚C above, these will be more severe.

The IPCC report is proactive in outlining what needs to happen in order for the world to achieve the 1.5˚C set by the Paris Agreement in 2015. Action is necessary in both the public and private sectors to reduce emissions. Individual responsibility is also important. Check out our list of tips for living with sustainability in mind this winter and see if there are any changes you can make!

1) Put up thick or insulated curtains. This will help to reduce heat loss in the winter and reduce heat gain in the summer.

2) Bundle up. Pull out a few extra blankets, throw on a sweater and some warm socks, and turn the thermostat down just a few degrees.

3) Change out lights for more energy-efficient options, like LED bulbs. Don't forget to turn out the lights when they are not in use!

4) Reach out to your energy provider and see if they offer any green energy alternatives or see if solar panels are an option for your household.

5) Winterize your doors and windows.

6) Make plans to create a backyard habitat for native species at home this spring. Check out our Families4Nature event coming up on March 19!

7) Check the air pressure in your tires. This will keep your car running more efficiently and make your tires last longer.

8) Use public transportation, carpool, or bundle up and walk to work whenever safe or possible. 

9) Use de-icers that are environmentally friendly, such as sand. Skip products like calcium chloride and salt.

10) Educate yourself! Look for events in your community related to the environment and stewardship and find out how you can make a difference!

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Our mailing address is:
Bruce Kingsbury
Environmental Resources Center
Indiana - Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW)
2101 East Coliseum Blvd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46805-1499

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PFW Envrionmental Resources Center · Purdue University Fort Wayne · 2101 East Coliseum Blvd. · Fort Wayne, IN 46805 · USA

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