Lectures - Spring 2007

A FASCINATION WITH MAMMALS

by Dr. Heather Roberts

From echidna to platypus to kangaroo and tiger, mammals are extremely important to humans. Providers of major goods and services to us, they are also keystone species of Earth’s ecosystems – both on land and at sea. From the tiniest shrews to the largest whales, mammals provide us with immeasurable value and pleasure. Heather Roberts, anatomy professor at Sierra College, has devoted her career to studying mammals. She will discuss mammal significance (ecologic and economic) while providing photos and stories of her research with these fascinating vertebrates.

CALIFORNIA GOLD – The Quaking Aspen

by David Burton

A brilliant signature of Fall in the High Sierra, the Quaking Aspen dazzles us with yellow, red, and gold leaves, shimmering in the wind. By providing important habitat, aspens form ecological communities rich in biodiversity. Myriad bird and mammal species depend upon them for their survival. Human watersheds are protected and purified by them. Most westerners recognize these beautiful trees by their tall slender trunks of smooth white bark, but few know of their current plight. Today, human activities have reduced Quaking Aspen by more than half its historical range. Join aspen researcher David Burton for a photo-illustrated discussion of this vanishing species and what is being done to increase its chances of survival.

Tom Killion, Printmaker

A slide-illustrated lecture on the making of The High Sierra of California, in collaboration with poet Gary Snyder. Mr. Killion will discuss the production of the book and the techniques of multi-block color printmaking.

Fine art prints by Mr. Killion will be available for viewing and purchase. Visit www.tomkillion.com

The Tramp and the Roughrider: John Muir and Teddy Roosevelt

By Lee Stetson and Alan Sutterfield

Back by popular demand is this lively reenactment of the famous 1903 meeting of President Theodore Roosevelt and California naturalist, John Muir. Returning to Sierra College for his annual "Muir visit" during Earth Day week, Lee will bring Teddy (Alan Sutterfield) along and perform this popular historical play (written and directed by Lee Stetson).

In May of 1903 President Theodore Roosevelt invited naturalist John Muir to join him on a four-day camping trip in the Yosemite wilderness. The Tramp and the Roughrider illuminates this extraordinary encounter, with the action unfolding at sunset on Glacier Point, overlooking magnificent Yosemite Valley. Both characters were feisty and opinionated. The had sharp disagreements on issues like hunting, animal rights and forest management. Muir’s poetic and evangelistic temperament, clashing with Roosevelt’s political and boyish enthusiasms, naturally spawned both tension and humor.

Both skillful storytellers, it seems natural that both would seek to top one another by relating some of their many adventures in the American wilderness – Roosevelt bring a frontier ruffian to justice, for example, or Muir telling of his hair-raising “interview” with a Yosemite bear. At the time of this historic meeting, many millions of acres of our western forests, with little or no governmental supervision, were being exploited and abused by hunting, lumbering, grazing, and mining interests. But around the campfire, sifting through their histories and their hopes, these very different men slowly discovered how the other had been shaped by the wilderness they both loved – opening up some rich possibilities for “doing some forest good.”

Join professional actors Lee Stetson and Alan Butterfield for this rare performance, commemorating this historically significant event in American history.

The California Native Plant Society Holds Spring Wild Flower Show and Native Plant Sale

Featured at this event will be:

• Wildflower show-spectacular native plants in bloom
• Wildflower walk with botany instructor Shawna Martinez at 11:00 am
• Native plant gardening advice: bring your questions & talk to experts
• California native trees, shrubs, perennials, and seeds
• Books, poster, and note cards of native plants
• Beautiful color botanical image T-shirts by Delo Rio
• Great Mother’s Day gifts

As a special feature, locally raised young native mountain dogwoods will be offered for sale this year."

This event is sponsored by the Sierra College Natural History Museum and benefits the Redbud Chapter, California Native Plant Society of Nevada and Placer Counties.

For more information contact Frances at 530.265.4838 or fjorgen@sbcglobal.net or Linda at 530.478.9387 or inowakcarlson@yahoo.com or on-line at www.nccn.net/-cnps

To get to the Sierra College Rocklin Campus located at 5000 Rocklin Road: Take the Rocklin Road exit of 1-80 to the west entrance of campus. Go to parking lot S and Building S (on left) follow the signs.

There is a $1 parking fee on the Sierra College Campus. Parking permits can be purchased at machines located in the parking lot.

Free lectures on the Sierra Nevada

Interdisciplinary 6. Thursday evenings during the Spring semester.

Lectures from years past.