US Fish and Wildlife Service biologist Deborah Rudis will lead the next Fireside Lecture at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, scheduled for Jan. 18. Rudis will focus on Attu Island, and the continuing environmental damage being done to the area as a result of contaminants from World War II remains such as fuel storage tanks, pipelines, dumps, ammunition piles and vehicles.
Hosted by the Tongass National Forest, Fireside Lectures occur every Friday night from January to March, free of charge. Each program is presented twice, at 6:30 and 8 p.m.
The 2013 series began last week with Mark Kelley’s presentation, “Juneau’s Backyard.” Here’s a look at the rest of the schedule.
Jan. 25: “Across Juneau’s Icefield” with adventurers Mike Hekkers, Franz Mueter and Dan Lesh
Feb. 1: ”Weather, Currents and Rubber Duckies” with National Weather Service forecaster Joel Curtis
Feb. 8: “Harbor Seals on the Move” with National Park Service biologist Jamie Womble
Feb. 15: “Power to the People: Avalanche Mitigation and History at Snettisham” with Alaska Electric Light and Power Company’s Eric Eriksen and avalanche forecaster Mike Janes.
Feb. 22: “A Sea of Otters” with researcher James Bodkin
March 1: “Living with Bears in Juneau” with State Fish and Game biologist Ryan Scott
March 8: “From Icefield to Ocean: Impacts of Glacier Change in Alaska” with University of Alaska Southeast professor Eran Hood.
March 15: “Calving Glaciers: Making a Big Splash” with Roman Motyka, of the Geophysical Institute University of Alaska Fairbanks and Southeast.
March 22: “Golden Girls: Peterson Sisters Make History” with Jensen-Olson Arboretum horticulturist and manager Merrill Jensen
Mar 29: “Superflyers: Arctic Terns” with Forest Service’s Gwen Baluss
For more information, visit www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5404540.pdf.
