Museum announces fall lecture schedule

Submitted by Kerynn Fisher
Phone: (907) 474-6941
09/13/04

The University of Alaska Museum of the North’s fall lecture series will get off to a blazing start this Thursday with a presentation by UAF Professor of Wildlife Biology Terry Chapin entitled Alaska’s Widlfires: A Taste of the Future?

During his presentation, Dr. Chapin will discuss the impacts of global climate change in Interior Alaska and the potential for more frequent and destructive wildfires. The lecture will be held in the Noel Wien Library and begins at 7 p.m.

On Thursday, Oct. 21, UAF’s Greg Finstad, Knut Kielland and Bill Schneider will present Return of the Caribou. The panel will discuss the return of the caribou to Alaska’s Seward Peninsula and its impact on local reindeer herding communities. Reindeer Elsa, Emma and Rip from UAF’s Large Animal Research Station will make a special appearance. The lecture will be held at the museum and begins at 7 p.m.

On Wednesday, Nov.10, author and artist Kes Woodward will present A Northern Adventure: The Art of Fred Machetanz. Woodward will talk about Machetanz, his life’s work and how art can shape the way we perceive our world. The lecture will be held in the UAF Wood Center Ballroom and begins at 7 p.m. After the lecture, Woodward will sign copies of his new book on Machetanz.

The final lecture of the fall semester will be The Mystery of the Bering Land Bridge with author Dan O’Neill on Thursday, December 2. O’Neill will explore geologist Dave Hopkins’ work to confirm the existence of the Bering Land Bridge. This lecture will also be held in the UAF Wood Center Ballroom, beginning at 7 p.m., and will be followed by a book signing.

All museum lectures are free and open to the public. For more information on any of the lectures, call 474-7505.

The museum remains open to visitors during construction on the new wing. Fall hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and noon to 5 p.m. weekends) begin on Thursday, Sept. 16. Visitor parking is available behind the museum.

Contact: Kerynn Fisher, Communications Coordinator, University of Alaska Museum of the North, at (907) 474-6941, (907) 378-2559 or k.fisher@uaf.edu