Michael Edmonds, Author of “Taking Flight: A History of Birds and People in the Heart of America,” discusses how people in the Midwest relate to the birds around them. Birds have been worshipped, are the subject of folktales and fables, have been admired, and have provided food for humans.

Heather Wacha, Postdoctoral Fellow in Data Curation for Medieval Studies, and Leah Parker, PhD Candidate in the Department of English, both at UW-Madison, introduce the Library of Stains project which uses multispectral imaging and data analysis to determine the environment surrounding medieval manuscripts, parchment paper and bindings.

Lisa Ruth Rand, Postdoctoral Fellow in the Institute for Research in the Humanities at UW-Madison, discusses what happens to the things we leave in space. From satellites that no longer send information to errant screws that were left behind, space junk can reenter the earth’s atmosphere and pose significant risk to people on the ground.

David Baum, Professor in the Department of Botany at UW-Madison, explains that cells can be viewed as chemical species which can self-propagate and evolve to create genetic systems. Baum discusses the implications of this ecological approach for understanding the origins of life.

Raluca Scarlat, Assistant Professor of Engineering Physics at UW-Madison, discusses why we should consider using nuclear energy, our role in global energy production, the future of nuclear technology and the energy research taking place at UW-Madison.

Christy Remucal, Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UW-Madison, discusses the use of chemicals designed to kill the larva of invasive sea lampreys and focuses on the environmental impact of the lampricides. Remucal presents research results showing the amount of time it takes the chemicals to be degraded by sunlight.

Robert Root, Author of “Walking Home Ground: In the Footsteps of Muir, Leopold, and Derleth,” shares the story of his journey toward understanding naturalists John Muir, Aldo Leopold and August Derleth. Root explored John Muir State Natural Area, Aldo Leopold’s shack and the Sac Prairie portrayed through the inspiration of August Derleth.

Derrick Herndon, Assistant Researcher at the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies at UW-Madison, explains the basics of hurricanes including how they form and the challenges of predicting their paths.

Simon Gilroy, Professor in the Department of Botany at UW-Madison, discusses whether plants can grow in space using the soil available on the planets. Gilroy explains that were we to live on Mars, we would be far enough from earth that we would need to be able to grow our own food.

Tim Kabat, Mayor of the City of La Crosse, discusses the principles which La Crosse follows to preserve its sustainable community development. Kabat explains the city’s strategic plan for reducing fossil fuels, getting energy from renewable sources, using environmentally preferred products, reducing waste, recycling, finding transportation alternatives and protecting natural areas.