Earth Fair: Spotlight on Nature Event Series Launch! Insects

Details for the event are below.

Part of La Crosse Earth Fair: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

Event focus: Insects

Activity: Join us to learn all about what makes an insect. We’ll tell you about the parts of these incredible critters as well as the awesome adaptations that they use to survive. Afterword, with your newfound knowledge you can craft your own insect with all the aspects they’ll need to survive at our table in the atrium.

There will be a 20 minute presentation in the Marshview room at 12:20pm with the following ongoing activities:

• Discovery room: There will be a whole pile of insects on display featuring Wisconsin natives and species with unique adaptations!
• Atrium: “Build your own insect!” We’ll have a table set up where we will help you build your own insect with all the aspects they’ll need to survive!

Presenters:

Bug Hartsock: Howdy, my name is Bug Hartsock. I’m a Master’s student in Biology, studying with Dr. Barrett Klein in his Pupating Lab. I love all things small and crawly and hope to share that love with others! My goal is to pursue a PhD with a focus on scientific outreach and education. I love making content that makes science more accessible, such as comics, zines, and animations. When I’m not staring at small arthropods, I spend my time reading sci-fi novels, playing tabletop rpgs, and throwing creative projects at the wall.

Danielle Hudson: Hi there! My name’s Danielle, and I’m a master’s student at UWL. I study solitary ground nesting bees in Dr. Barrett Klein’s Pupating Lab. My research is multifaceted, focusing on parasitic relationships and the effects of urbanization. Before starting graduate school, I was a fifth-grade science and reading teacher. Now, I’m combining my passion for education, conservation, science, and the outdoors to pursue a career in biology.

Drew Lysaker: Hello, my name is Drew Lysaker. I am a Master’s student majoring in Biology at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. I study mosquitoes in Dr. Barrett Klein’s lab. My other tasks in the lab include caring for our many live insects as well as curating mosquitoes in the university collection. I love sharing my knowledge and love of insects. If I’m not in the lab identifying mosquitoes or raising arthropods, you might be able to find me hiking, canoeing, or reading outside.

This event is part of the Spotlight on Nature Event Series

The series, part of the Driftless Area BioBlitz 2023 Nature Challenge, is your chance to participate in a bioblitz with experts sharing their passion for and knowledge of the driftless region. There will be eight different events, each focusing on various taxa like fungi, moss and lichens, pollinator plants, birds, and insects, including nocturnal and decomposers.

Please note:

• Registration is NOT required for this event

This FREE event can be attended in-person or virtually on Facebook live (link to come).