Nature Lectures and Events

Global Warming, Ethanol and an Innovative Technology (Lecture)

            Attendance: 40

Presenter: Dr. Dennis Evers, Microbiologist and public health engineer                                   

Dr. Evers will discuss his Everstech ET Process. This process deals with waste created by biofuels and agricultural industry.

Habitat for Humanity in the Terre Haute Area (Lecture)

            Attendance: 31

            Presenter: Annette Houchin, Executive Director    

This lecture will discuss the nature of Habitat for Humanity program in the Terre Haute area, how it works, how families are chosen, acquisition of building sites, and the Restore program.

Dirty Knees Day (Special Events)

            Attendance: 7

            Program Coordinator: Sonni Crawford and Stan Evans

This is a community volunteer special event. Participants will help prepare flower beds in the community park for winter.

The Wabash & Erie Canal 1832 – 1874 (Lecture)

            Attendance: 70

Presenter: Jeff Koehler, Clay County Indiana Historian                                                                

On October 25, 1849, two canal boats made it to Terre Haute on the canal. On February 24, 1876, the lands of the canal were auctioned off at the Vigo County Courthouse. The story of the Wabash & Erie Canal includes Irish laborers, cholera epidemics, crooked deals and inept businessmen, but also spirited driven individuals with a vision of bringing settlers and commerce to the region.

Seven Steps to a Sustainable Existence in Your Own Backyard (Lecture)

            Attendance: 42

Presenter: Sister Theresa Boland, member of Sisters of Providence, a religious order concerned with eco-justice and sustainability.                                                  

This is a presentation on Square Foot Gardening, Creating Bird and Butterfly Habitats, and Composting: Bed and Container composting. As we start to design our yards, we reduce the amount of lawn we need to mow. The reduced mowing improves our footprint on the atmosphere by reducing the amount of carbon emissions into the atmosphere and supports diversity of life in our yard.

Wetlands (Lecture)

Presenter: John Mutchner, President of Wabash River Development & Beautification Corporation

John Mutchner and Max Miller (Chairman of Wetlands Committee) will discuss the Wabash Riverfront Development and Beautification Inc., a committee that recently received approval for status as a not-for-profit corporation. This group has designed a long-term riverfront development plan for the Wabash River. The group proposes commercial and residential development along the eastern bank of the Wabash River, with a wetlands preserve and green space west of the river.

To register for any of these special events, call the Osher Lifelong Learning registration office, 812-237-8707.