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Briar Bush Nature Center, 1212 Edge Hill Rd, Abington, PA | Get Directions »
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The Secret Life of Russell (the Crow) #240

Wednesday, March 6, 7 – 8:30 pm; Cost $3; members free

In the summer of 2011, a non-releasable Fish Crow was put under the care of State-licensed wildlife rehabilitator Michele Wellard.  In the years since, Michele has learned more than she could have ever dreamed about the intelligence and personality of these anything-but-common birds.  Join us for the enlightening and entertaining story as told by Michele, who will be joined by the star of the story himself, Russell.

What Price Mother Nature?  #241

Wednesday, March 20, 7 – 8:30 pm; Cost $3; members free

Avowed flower children often think that nature is “priceless,” that natural resources should be preserved at all costs. Economists largely disagree. Dr. John Sorrentino of the Economics Department and Center for Sustainable Communities at Temple University will help us better understand the relationship between the economy and the environment. This discussion will consider the effectiveness of the forces of the free market versus regulations in preserving nature, and the many ways costs and benefits can be assigned to the services provided by the environment. Suggested readings:Gutanski, J. A. & Bergman, A. (n.d.). Putting A Price on Nature. Resource Dimensions. http://www.ecologicalecon.com/Puttingpriceonnature.pdf Beder, S. (1997). The Environment Goes to Market. Democracy and Nature, 3(3), 90-106. Available online from the HER Institute (Human and Environmental Rights): http://www.herinst.org/sbeder/enveconomics

“The Cardiac Surgery Operating Room, Evolutionary Biology and Saving Lives” #242

Wednesday, April 24, 7 – 8:30 pm; Cost $3, members free

Dr Garrido and his cardiac surgery team work directly on the human heart every day. They use complex and innovative techniques that help potentiate and at times counteract the effects of human evolutionary biology.

The team will explain some ground-breaking cardiac surgery techniques currently being developed, and discuss how evolutionary biology affects decision making in the operating room.  Join us for this rich discussion!

Our Love Hate Affair With Plastic #243

Wednesday, May 15, 7 – 8:30 pm; Cost $3; members free

The production and consumption of plastics has grown enormously in less than a hundred years. Unfortunately the environmental problems they cause are growing at a similar rate. This discussion will be led by Dr. Beatriz Moisset, a biologist from the University of Crodoba.  Dr. Moisset specializes in the study of pollination and is devoted to many environmental issues. Suggested readings: Plastic Free. How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too by Beth Terry; and Plastic. A Toxic Love Story, by Susan Freinkel

A River Again: the History of the Schuylkill River Desilting Project  #244

Wednesday, June 26, 7 – 8:30 pm; Cost $3, members free

The Schuylkill River went from being considered waters of “uncommon purity” in the middle of the 18th century to being this country’s dirtiest river by the middle of the 21st. That distinction resulted in a precedent-setting river cleanup effort from 1947 to 1951.  Chari Towne, Schuylkill Watershed Specialist with the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, will lead this conversation on the environmental history of the River and how themes from the past affect us in the present.  This discussion will draw from Ms. Towne’s recently published book by the same title, which can be found online at: http://www.delawareriverkeeper.org/PDF/A_RIVER_AGAIN_2012.pdf.