Nature Speaks library program presents 'All the Little Things'
The Prospect Heights Natural Resources Commission and the Prospect Heights Public Library are co-sponsoring another virtual program titled "All the Little Things from 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28.
The program will be presented by author and educator Chris Helzer.
When people think about nature, they tend to focus on the big, charismatic animals we learned about as children. However, ecosystems function because of much smaller organisms, including plants and invertebrates (and many others). Those "little things" and their complex, interactive networks are worth knowing and appreciating.
This photo-heavy presentation will introduce you to some of those little creatures, including a diversity of plants, ants, grasshoppers, plant hoppers, and more, and explain how they form and maintain resilient and healthy ecosystems.
Helzer is the director of science for The Nature Conservancy in Nebraska. His main role is to evaluate and capture lessons from the conservancy's land management and restoration work and then share those lessons with other landowners - both private and public.
Helzer also works to raise awareness about the importance of prairies and their conservation through his writing, photography, and presentations.
Helzer is the author of "The Ecology and Management of Prairies in the Central United States," and he lives in Aurora, Nebraska, with his wife Kim and their children.
The program is free; register at www.phpl.info. It will take place virtually through the library's Zoom platform. Instructions for logging into the program will be emailed to registrants on the day of the program.
Nature Speaks is a partnership between Prospect Heights Natural Resources Commission and the Prospect Heights Public Library.
Additional information about the commission's numerous native prairie restorations and other activities can be found at www.phnrc.com, where one can also learn more about our area's natural resources, native prairies, volunteer activity days, and other educational information as well.