Presentation or Lecture

Lady beetles, or ladybugs, have long been recognized as one of the best biological controls for many insect pests in both home gardens and agri-business. The diversity in this family of insects has been well-characterized yet they have largely been represented by only a few select species which have been introduced in the U.S. via different methods. So, who are our native lady beetles? What are their dietary preferences and habitat needs? This presentation is an introduction to some of the native lady beetles in the greater Houston area and an overview of their biology and habitat needs.

Plants, like humans, interact with a diversity of microscopic organisms, and scientists are just becoming aware of the role that microbiomes play in influencing host health. Current evidence suggests that despite their small size, microbes can have big impacts on natural ecosystems – from influencing whether plants are edible to determining how diverse a prairie is.

In arid grasslands and deserts throughout North and South America, the most abundant insects are harvester ants.  These large and conspicuous ant species feed on seeds, which they harvest directly from plants and store in their nests. Unlike most species of ants, members of a single colony are not closely related to each other; each colony is genetically diverse. Join Professor Diane Wiernasz of the University of Houston as she discusses how the harvester ant life cycle is an adaptation to the harsh conditions of the desert, how these ants affect the abundance and distribution of plant communities, and the sometimes surprising consequences of colony genetic variation.

Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church invites you to a monthly environmental education web meeting series whose theme in 2020 is the wonders of nature. In September, join Professor Adrienne Correa of Rice University to learn about coral reefs & their relationship with their predators. Coral reefs are biodiverse ecosystems that are constructed by partnerships […]

Join the Rothko Chapel and the Bernard and Audre Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice at the University of Texas at Austin for the 6th annual Frances Tarlton “Sissy” Farenthold Endowed Lecture in Peace, Social Justice and Human Rights.

The 2020 Farenthold Lecture will kick-off a series of Rothko Chapel programs exploring the past, present, and future of civil and human rights in this country. Which rights are particularly at-risk in today’s society, and how can we become more effective advocates and activists as we work to undo injustice and create a society of equality and equity? A moderated Q&A session by ABC13’s news anchor Melanie Lawson follows the lecture.

Join the Dominican Sisters of Houston on Saturday, January 9, 2021 at 9am as they gather virtually for Prayer to End Human Trafficking.