Fargo Nerd Nite #77: The BEST of Fargo Nerd Nite

We describe Nerd Nite "Like a Ted Talk, with beer!", with a vibe like Drunk History, but on a broader range of topics. Three speakers will present for twenty minutes each about whatever they personally nerd out about. If you love learning for learning's sake, grab a drink and get edu-tained.

This show will be our second annual BEST OF Fargo Nerd Nite!! Yes, this is the same show that was originally scheduled for November 2024, now rescheduled to be the kickoff for our 2025 season. It's our Best Of special because three of our favorite speakers from the past year return with new talks to enrich our lives with more nerdery!

Full talk + speaker deets:

Bee Lawns: Developing a Sustainable Lawn

We need to rethink the traditional American lawn. Modern lawns consist of a W**d-free monoculture that requires high inputs of water and fertilizer. In addition, they are inhospitable landscapes for pollinators and beneficial insects. By integrating compact flowering plants into the lawn, we can provide a source of pollen and nectar for pollinators. Learn how to install and maintain a bee lawn that is attractive and meets community aesthetic standards.

Esther McGinnis is an Associate Professor in the North Dakota State University Department of Plant Sciences. She is also an Extension Horticulturist and Director of the NDSU Extension Master Gardener Program. Her graduate students conduct research in the areas of native plant evaluation, pollinator conservation, and plants for rain garden environments. As the administrator of the Extension Master Gardener Program, impactful initiatives include planting pollinator habitat, fighting food insecurity, community beautification, and plant diagnosis.

we just decided to

This talk is a discussion of how gatekeepers make decisions about what is and is not considered acceptable English.

Kellam Barta has an MA in Sociolinguistics from NC State University and teaches writing and linguistics at NDSU. He also enjoys talking to groups of folks in 20-minute chunks with 3-5 minutes for questions. Seriously.

The Perpetual Crisis of Conservation Biology – A Story of Two Chickens

The grassland prairie is the most endangered ecosystem in North America. Most prairies have been cut in half, forcing many native species into small, isolated pockets. A charismatic resident, the prairie-chicken, still exists in this fragmented landscape, but populations are starting to vanish. Zack’s talk describes the trials and tribulations of saving prairie-chickens, and a past project hoping to rescue an endangered population in Wisconsin.

Zack Bateson spent his childhood lost in the woods of Minnesota. During that time, he fell in love with nature. His love interest turned into a career as a geneticist. Zack has a Ph.D. in Evolutionary Genetics and has studied lizards, birds, bees, crops, and weeds. When not in the lab or begging for research money, Zack hikes the prairie to identify wildlife with his wife and kids. He also breeds snakes and has a small zoo in his house.

…plus our usuals: beer, door prizes, laughs, and terrible 90s music during the breaks. Bring $10 to the door or get your tickets in advance here on EB. Same price to you either way- we eat the fees bc they go nice with Christmas cookies.

See your gorgeous faces there.

:) T

Host or Publisher Tracy Kurtz,Hope Novacek & Dan Novacek