Climate change presentation series continues March 16

The LLCC Academy of Lifelong Learning invites the public to “Wind and Air,” on March 16, 5:30-7 p.m. via Zoom. It’s part of the free, four-part series on climate change.

Panelists include Kevin C. O’Brien, Ph.D., director of the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) at UIUC and principal investigator overseeing the CWLP carbon capture and storage project, and Michelle Knox, founder and owner of WindSolarUSA and certified site assessor for solar photovoltaics and solar thermal projects. Program moderator is John Stremsterfer, president and CEO, Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln and Next10.org.

Pre-register for “Wind and Air.”

View more details and pre-register for the April presentation in the series.

Recording of “The Earth” available

If you were unable to attend Wednesday’s session, “The Earth,” hosted by LLCC’s Academy of Lifelong Learning, a recording is now available.

Topic: Climate Change and its Effect on Central Illinois: The Earth
Date: Feb 16, 2022 05:15 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Meeting Recording:
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/mKWbWnz9e3s16tDoqNHGQjiOCMLgddOjzbq3dO7gQ94FAa2h5VsUuqgRyO_-J9-b.nBR19TnwBp3nyCYc

To register for future programs in the series, visit www.llcc.edu/all-special-events.

“The Earth” today, 5:30 p.m.

The LLCC Academy of Lifelong Learning invites the public to “The Earth,” today, 5:30-7 p.m. via Zoom. It’s part of the free, four-part series on climate change.

Soil management experts will discuss the impact of climate change on farming. Panelists include Samantha Reif, LLCC professor of geology; Ashley Curran, grant manager, Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts; and Lauren Lirkins, director of environmental policy, Illinois Farm Bureau. The moderator is Karen Ackerman Witter, former Illinois State Museum director, author and writer for the Illinois Times.

Pre-register for “The Earth.”

View more details and pre-register for the additional presentations in the series.

“The Action You Take, The Difference You Make” presentation series

The LLCC Academy of Lifelong Learning invites the public to the next presentation in its four-part series on climate change, “The Action You Take, The Difference You Make.” “The Earth” will take place on Feb. 16, 5:30-7 p.m. via Zoom.

Soil management experts will discuss the impact of climate change on farming. Panelists include Samantha Reif, LLCC professor of geology; Ashley Curran, grant manager, Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts; and Lauren Lirkins, director of environmental policy, Illinois Farm Bureau. The moderator is Karen Ackerman Witter, former Illinois State Museum director, author and writer for the Illinois Times.

Pre-register for “The Earth.”

Other presentations in the series:

  • March 16: “Wind and Air” – In this presentation, participants will take a closer look at fossil fuel use.
  • April 20: “The Water” – This program looks closely at the lakes, rivers, streams, aquifers and wetlands that move, store and filter Illinois water.

View more details and pre-register for the additional presentations in the series.

Climate change presentation series begins tomorrow

The LLCC Academy of Lifelong Learning invites the public to its four-part presentation series on climate change, “The Action You Take, The Difference You Make.” Events will be held Wednesdays, Jan. 19, Feb. 16, March 16 and April 20 from 5:30-7 p.m. via Zoom.

The series begins tomorrow, Jan. 19,with State Climatologist Dr. Trent Ford presenting “Climate Change and Its Effect on Central Illinois: An Overview.” Dr. Ford conducts research on climate systems and extreme climate events, like drought and heat waves; monitors current conditions; and studies climate change. He says, “Overall, Illinois’ climate has gotten warmer and wetter since the start of the 20th century, according to high quality climate monitoring data from NOAA Centers for Environmental Information.” Ryan Cadagin, 7th Circuit Court judge, will host this webinar event.

Pre-register for “An Overview”

Other presentations in the series:

  • Feb. 16: “The Earth” – Soil management experts will discuss the impact of climate change on farming. Panelists include Samantha Reif, LLCC professor of geology.
  • March 16: “Wind and Air” – In this presentation, participants will take a closer look at fossil fuel use.
  • April 20: “The Water” – This program looks closely at the lakes, rivers, streams, aquifers and wetlands that move, store and filter Illinois water.

View more details and pre-register for the additional presentations in the series.

“The Action You Take, The Difference You Make” presentation series

The LLCC Academy of Lifelong Learning invites the public to the upcoming four-part presentation series on climate change, “The Action You Take, The Difference You Make.” Events will be held Wednesdays, Jan. 19, Feb. 16, March 16 and April 20 from 5:30-7 p.m. via Zoom.

The series begins Jan. 19 with State Climatologist Dr. Trent Ford presenting “Climate Change and Its Effect on Central Illinois: An Overview.” Dr. Ford conducts research on climate systems and extreme climate events, like drought and heat waves; monitors current conditions; and studies climate change. He says, “Overall, Illinois’ climate has gotten warmer and wetter since the start of the 20th century, according to high quality climate monitoring data from NOAA Centers for Environmental Information.” Ryan Cadagin, 7th Circuit Court judge, will host this webinar event.

Other presentations in the series will focus on the impact of climate change on central Illinois as it relates to soil, energy production, and hydropower and resources.

Feb. 16: “The Earth” – Soil management experts will discuss the impact of climate change on farming. Panelists include Samantha Reif, LLCC professor of geology; Ashley Curran, grant manager, Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts; and Lauren Lirkins, director of environmental policy, Illinois Farm Bureau. The moderator is Karen Ackerman Witter, former Illinois State Museum director, author and writer for the Illinois Times.

March 16: “Wind and Air” – In this presentation, participants will take a closer look at fossil fuel use. Panelists include Kevin C. O’Brien, Ph.D., director of the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) at UIUC and principal investigator overseeing the CWLP carbon capture and storage project, and Michelle Knox, founder and owner of WindSolarUSA and certified site assessor for solar photovoltaics and solar thermal projects. Program moderator is John Stremsterfer, president and CEO, Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln and Next10.org.

April 20: “The Water” – This program looks closely at the lakes, rivers, streams, aquifers and wetlands that move, store and filter Illinois water. Panelists include Wes Cattoor, P.E., CFM, section chief, engineering studies at Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Dr. Jim Angel, climatologist at Illinois State Water Survey, former Illinois state climatologist (1997-2018).

To pre-register for these events and for more information, visit the Newsletters & Special Events section at llcc.edu/academy-lifelong-learning.

ALL hosting fall kickoff Sept. 17 and chilli supper Oct. 3

The LLCC Academy of Lifelong Learning (ALL) invites the public to two upcoming events: the fall kickoff and chilli supper.

The fall kickoff will be held Friday, Sept. 17, 1-3 p.m. in LLCC’s student union, located in the lower level of Menard Hall on the LLCC campus, 5250 Shepherd Road. With the theme “Where in the United States is ALL?” attendees will “travel” throughout the U.S. as they navigate exhibits. The event includes snacks and beverages, games and a commemorative tree planting celebrating the culmination of ALL’s Big Read project. Guests are welcome to attend, ask questions and join ALL. Guest registration for this free event is available by calling 217-786-2432. (Current ALL members should register online or call 217-786-2292.)

The annual ALL chilli supper will be held Sunday, Oct. 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Temple B’rith Sholom Social Hall, 1004 S. 4th St. Cost is $8 per person and free for youth ages 8 and under. The event will feature chilli made by Les Eastep, well-known Springfield chilli chef and cook-off judge. Also on the menu are hot dogs, chilli dogs, beverages and desserts, with carryout available.

The LLCC Academy of Lifelong Learning is a membership group of adults 50 and greater devoted to the lifelong pursuit of learning. With 10 to 12 opportunities available each month, the Academy provides enjoyable experiences in learning with a variety of opportunities to develop new friendships.

More information is available at www.llcc.edu/academy-lifelong-learning.

Recording of Hope Jahren’s NEA Big Read keynote address available

"Lab Girl" by Hope Jahren book coverThe Academy of Lifelong Learning (ALL) at LLCC hosted the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read in Sangamon County during March and April 2021. This community reading program focused on “Lab Girl” by Hope Jahren. Fifty local organizations partnered with ALL to develop and offer free, fun and educational community-wide book discussions, speakers, interactive programs and arts presentations inspired by the book’s themes. One of the virtual keynote speakers was the author herself, Hope Jahren, who spoke on April 17 from Oslo, Norway. A recording of Hope Jahren’s NEA Big Read keynote address is now available.

Hope JahrenHope Jahren is an award-winning scientist who has been pursuing independent research in paleobiology since 1996, when she completed her Ph.D. at University of California Berkeley and began teaching and researching first at the Georgia Institute of Technology and then at Johns Hopkins University. She is the recipient of three Fulbright Awards and is one of four scientists, and the only woman, to have been awarded both of the Young Investigator Medals given within the Earth Sciences. She was a tenured professor at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu from 2008 to 2016 where she built the Isotope Geobiology Laboratories, with support from National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy and the National Institutes of Health. She currently holds the J. Tuzo Wilson professorship at the University of Oslo, Norway.