Birds in a Changing Climate
Speakers: Lynsy Smithson-Stanley and Tom Auer, National Audubon Society
Location: John Gould Fletcher Library. Time: 7 PM.
Recent Audubon research has concluded that climate change is the most immediate and significant threat to the future existence of birds in North America. Nearly half of North American bird species are in danger, according to Audubon’s science. Staff from National Audubon Society’s science and climate team will present this new research, highlight implications for regional birds, and discuss the individual and collective opportunities that exist in Arkansas to lower carbon emissions and protect imperiled species.
Lynsy Smithson-Stanley is Deputy Director for National Audubon’s Climate and Strategic Initiative. A native Missourian, Lynsy attended the University of Missouri School of Journalism before working as a reporter and editor in MI and MO. Her Masters in mass communication research led her to New York City and to Climate Nexus, a start-up that focuses on climate change communication to the public. She joined Audubon after three years at Climate Nexus, where she was led media strategy and strategic communications.
Tom Auer, Important Bird Areas Biologist. Tom has recently helped institute an organizational species taxonomy standard and has been involved in data management and analyses, visualization, and GIS work throughout Audubon. He holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of Minnesota – Duluth and a MS in Geography from Penn State. A conservation data specialist, Tom has experience in environmental web mapping and cyberinfrastructure projects, and is an active eBirder.