Ecological Impact of Helene, One Year Later

With Dan Lazar

Friday, September 26  |  2 - 4:30 pm

BRN - Ecology Core

It has been one year since hurricane Helene ravaged the ecosystems of Western North Carolina, uprooting trees and causing major flooding along mountain rivers and streams. How have the animals and plants of the affected areas responded to this historic event? Where do songbirds go to escape hurricane winds? How can fish and aquatic invertebrates tolerate such massive flooding? What factors determine which trees are toppled and which survive? We will investigate the long-term effects of Hurricane Helene on the natural plant and animal communities of Western North Carolina during this illustrated lecture followed by a short walk on Arboretum grounds to observe the ongoing recovery of hurricane-damaged areas.

This program takes place in the classroom and outdoors. Please come prepared to walk on gentle, yet uneven terrain, and dress appropriately for the weather.

Dan Lazar served for many years as the director of education at the Western North Carolina Nature Center, followed by several years as executive director of the Colburn Earth Science Museum. Dan has a degree in forest biology from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry and has been an instructor in the Blue Ridge Naturalist program since 2005.

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