Wilderness Workshop and ACES Host Annual ‘Naturalist Nights’ Speaker Series
December 6, 2023 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Greta Brown, ACES Marketing Manager, 970.925.5756 | gbrown@aspennature.org or Francis Sanzaro, Wilderness Workshop Communications Director, 315.415.7861 | francis@wildernessworkshop.org
Once again, the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) joins forces with Wilderness Workshop and Roaring Fork Audubon to jointly present the well-received annual winter speaker series, Naturalist Nights, commencing on January 10, 2024. This collaboration among the three organizations promises an impressive array of experts delving into subjects concerning wildlife, public lands, rivers and technology, all which hold significance for our community.
“We’ve got an amazing lineup of speakers coming to talk on topics I know our community is very passionate about—water, wildlife and public lands,” said Will Roush, Executive Director at Wilderness Workshop. “In particular, I’m excited about Evan Hjerpe who will be presenting on the economics of public lands and protected areas and Jennifer Back’s presentation on the nuances of Wild and Scenic Rivers designation and how it could protect the Crystal River and reflect our community’s values for this special place.”
Every Wednesday evening, the five speakers will deliver their presentations in Carbondale (TBD on the precise location), and on Thursday evenings at ACES at Hallam Lake (100 Puppy Smith St., Aspen, CO 81611). Additionally, the Thursday presentations will be livestreamed on the Facebook pages of each organization as well as ACES’ YouTube Channel. All lectures will be available online after the events.
“What is the status of wolves across the west? How can we prevent birds from colliding with wind turbines? How are America’s rivers doing? These are the kinds of questions, among many others, that will be answered through our Naturalist Nights lecture series,” said Chris Lane, CEO of ACES. “Come down to Hallam Lake in Aspen or the Third Street Center in Carbondale this January through March for five enjoyable evenings spent learning a little bit about our environment from a great line-up of experts,” said Lane.
The 2024 Naturalist Nights series features experts addressing a diverse range of relevant topics and issues:
Yellowstone Wolves: A Quarter Century of Research and Observations
with Taylor Rabe
Wednesday, January 10, 6 – 7pm | Carbondale
Thursday, January 11, 6 – 7pm | Hallam Lake
Taylor Rabe is a Biological Science Technician with the Yellowstone Wolf Project.
Born to be Wild: The Ecological Benefits of Wild & Scenic Rivers
with Jennifer Back
Wednesday, January 24, 6 – 7pm | Carbondale
Thursday, January 25, 6 – 7pm | Hallam Lake
Jennifer Back is a retired hydrologist from the National Parks Service.
The Identiflight Technology: Protecting Sensitive Bird Species from Wind Turbine Collisions
with Susan Downey and Carlos Jorquera
Wednesday, February 7, 6 – 7pm | Carbondale
Thursday, February 8, 6 – 7pm | Hallam Lake
Susan Downey is the Field Applications Engineer and Chief Birder at Boulder Imaging, Inc.
Carlos Jorquera is the Chief Technology Officer at Boulder Imaging, Inc.
The Language of Birds
with Nathan Pieplow
Wednesday, February 21, 6 – 7pm | Carbondale
Thursday, February 22, 6 – 7pm | Hallam Lake
Nathan Pieplow is a Professor of Writing and Rhetoric at CU Boulder and a former editor of the journal Colorado Birds.
The Economics of Public Lands and Protected Areas
with Evan Hjerpe
Wednesday, March 6, 6 – 7pm | Carbondale
Thursday, March 7, 6 – 7pm | Hallam Lake
Evan Hjerpe is the Executive Director of the Conservation Economics Institute.
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Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES), a non-partisan, nonprofit organization, provides enriching environmental literacy programs for kids, teens, and adults as well as community and business leaders. With three locations between Aspen and Basalt, ACES offers year-round programs focused on science, ecology, natural history, stewardship, forest health, regenerative agriculture, civic leadership, and more. For more information and a full listing of ACES offerings, visit www.aspennature.org.
Wilderness Workshop is a nonprofit organization protecting the wilderness, water, and wildlife of Western Colorado’s public lands. Learn more at wildernessworkshop.org
Roaring Fork Audubon promotes the enjoyment, conservation and understanding of birds, other wildlife, and their habitats, through birding, education, advocacy and fellowship. Learn more at RoaringForkAudubon.org
