Our TOWN-Austin monthly meeting occurs each month on the fourth Tuesday.
Our agenda is typically the following: bring your brown-bag dinner or a snack; we gather at 6 pm & socialize; 6:30-7:00 greetings, introductions, business, outings reports and planning; 7- 8 speaker; 8 – 8:15 adjournment and cleanup.
Our speaker for this September meeting is Dr. Karen McGraw and her presentation will be Save the Night—Life on Earth Depends on Natural Darkness. Almost every living thing on our planet uses the cycle of light and dark to trigger life processes. Humans have come to depend on artificial light for nighttime activities. So, how does our artificial light at night effect fauna and flora? It’s hard for us to see what habitat destruction by artificial light looks like. This program helps us understand the effects of artificial light on living things, including ourselves, and how we can reduce the negative effect of our lights.
Additionally, participants will take home a new awareness about the lighting practices, which allow humans to have the light they want or need for nighttime activities while minimizing the negative effects of artificial light. You will see how these practices save energy costs, reduce glare, increase safety, reduce light trespass, limit the negative consequences on the environment, and create a more aesthetically pleasing nocturnal environment for humans.
Dr. Karen McGraw has been passionate about nature for most of her life. Her parents report that one of her first 2-syllable words was “outside,” and that is still where she prefers to be. Karen is a Texas Master Naturalist with the Balcones Canyonlands Chapter, a member of the International Dark Skies Association, a water monitor for the Colorado River Watch Network, and a native gardener and herbalist.
Professionally, Karen is the president of Silver Bear Group, a business and consulting firm in Bee Cave. Karen facilitates workshops on topics ranging from organizational improvement and change management, to naturalist topics such as Texas’ dark skies initiatives and creating Monarch waystations.
Join us and bring a friend!