Talking Trees

Dr Dan Bebber, a recent addition to the expanding Biosciences department at Exeter, will be taking his science knowledge across the country this summer to present to the public at two prestigious science festivals.

Dan joined Biosciences earlier this year from the environmental organisation Earthwatch, where he managed a global research programme on the potential impacts of climate change on forests, focusing on the effect of both very dry and very wet years on tree growth. Dan is taking his experience to Cheltenham this June (5th) to give a talk to the public about the potential threats to Britain’s trees, particularly climate change and emerging pests and diseases, the interaction between these threats and possible methods to resolve them. The Cheltenham Science Festival is one of the largest public science events in the country; previous speakers have included Brian Cox, Robert Winston, Alice Roberts, Richard Dawkins and David Attenborough.

Later this summer (9th July) Dan will be taking the public on a tree walk around London as part of the British Ecological Society's Festival of Ecology to celebrate the society’s centenary. The aim will be to demonstrate the ecological importance of trees, and help people appreciate the value of trees in streets and parks. Dan aims to help the public realise that the environment and nature are not beyond every day reach, "by getting a better understanding of urban trees [he hopes] that they will realise that cities are environments too, that can be made healthier and better places to live by trees and green spaces."

These events are an excellent way to disseminate research to the wider public in a fun and engaging manner, developing a greater understanding of ecology across a broad audience and increasing the University of Exeter's national reputation.

Further information on the events and on both festivals in general may be found on their respective websites:

Date: 28 May 2013

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