Category Archives: Programs

Oct. Welcome back the bluebirds: Christy Frampton, president of  Boone County Bluebird Society and district coordinator for the Indiana Bluebird Society, offered insights about Eastern Bluebirds’ nesting habits, why they need our help, and how to attract them.  Nov. Conservation awards program Dec. Birding close to home: Rose Jeffery, RCAS Field Trip Chair, showcased the best birdingContinue reading “2017-18 Season”

Oct. Cerulean Warbler research: Ball State graduate student Clayton Delancey presented his current research, using radio transmitters, on Cerulean Warblers, a neotropical migrant species whose status is considered threatened. Nov. Conservation awards program Dec. Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign: Jodi Perras discussed the Indiana Michigan Power/AEP Rockport power plant—the nation’s sixth-largest carbon polluter and secondContinue reading “2016-17 Season”

Oct. Bats of Indiana: Purdue biologist Ryan Slack covered a variety of topics about bats: myths, specialized adaptations, anatomy and classification, habitats, conservation, White Nose Syndrome, bat calls, rabies, and the 12 bat species found in Indiana. Nov. Conservation awards program Dec. Bird research in southern Indiana: Jeff Riegel, field supervisor of the Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment (HEE),Continue reading “2015-16 Season”

Oct. Showing of From Billions to None: The planet’s last Passenger Pigeon died in 1914, despite having numbered in the billions just a few decades before. This film recreates the species’ former glory and “the ruthless ways in which our 19th-century ancestors utterly destroyed them.” Nov. Joel Greenberg: In this special program at Minnetrista, Joel Greenberg, authorContinue reading “2014-15 Season”

Oct. Wildlife Resqu Haus: In her final public program, Diana Shaffer talked about the work she did for 50 years as a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in caring for injured, ill, and orphaned birds, mammals, and other critters. Nov. Conservation awards program Dec. IDNR reintroduction project: Dr. John Castrale, a nongame bird biologist with the IDNR’s DivisionContinue reading “2013-14 Season”

Oct. Bats and wind energy: Michael Schirmacher, Wind Energy Fields Project Biologist for Bat Conservation International, discussed research into methods for reducing bat fatalities at wind energy facilities. Nov. Owl Prowl: In a special two-part program (separate from our regular conservation awards banquet), Dr. Tom Sproat (Northern Kentucky University) introduced both children and adults to theContinue reading “2012-13 Season”

Sept. A Swift Night Out: In a special September program, Shirley Needham, a wildlife rehabilitator from Fulton County, told us all about her specialty: chimney swifts. Afterward, we went to a nearby building to watch migrating swifts swoop into a chimney roost. Oct. Sigma Xi research presentations: In a joint meeting with the BSU Chapter of SigmaContinue reading “2011-12 Season”

Oct. Habitat restoration at Zeigler Woods: Jon Creek, Jeff Ray, and BSU student Tom Fraley showed us the work our chapter undertook at the Zeigler Woods Nature Preserve in summer 2010: removal of brome grass and planting of native grasses on 50 acres of former pasture. Nov. Conservation awards program Dec. Field course study in South Africa: BiologyContinue reading “2010-11 Season”

Oct. The Value of the Honeybee: Ball State education professor Carolyn Walker presented information about the natural history of the honey bee, pollination, the importance of honeybees in the ecosystem, and colony collapse disorder. Nov. Conservation awards program Dec. New Mexico National Parks: Bonnie Nicholson, former RCAS president and now employee of Bandelier National Monument, gave aContinue reading “2009-10 Season”

Oct. Mountaintop removal: Kentucky environmentalist Dave Cooper, with the Mountaintop Removal Road Show, gave a stirring presentation on mountaintop “mining” practices that have destroyed mountains and communities in Appalachia. Nov. Conservation awards program Dec. South Pacific travels: Allen King – longtime RCAS member, world traveler, and talented photographer – took us on a colorful photo journey to Tahiti, Tuamotu,Continue reading “2008-09 Season”