Outreach

Biology on Tap: A weekly free public event featuring "accessible, engaging science presentations on topics ranging from mammals to mating, E. coli to evolution, and pollinators to parasites!" As part of the 2017 MSU Science Festival our lab participated with a presentation on "Our Climate is Changing."

Falling Tree Collaborative (2022-2023) 
  • In 2022-2023, Phoebe and composer Lyn Goeringer collaborated on a composition, "Potentialities", as part of the Falling Tree Collaborative (an effort led by Berkley Walker), to bring together scientists and musicians in a concert series focused on bring the sounds of the proverbial “tree falling in a forest” to new audiences and explore themes of climate change, sustainable food production, and general wonder of our shared natural world with a special focus on systems involving plants. 
  • "Potentialities" consists of 2 movements and contrasts the potential impacts of climate change on biodiversity, according to two different emissions scenarios. The first movement reflects a future following business as usual (a high emissions scenario), where biodiversity and ecosystems suffer from intensified climate change. The second movement reflects a more sustainable future with conversion to renewable energy and more conservation of nature, ensuring more intact biodiversity and ecosystem functions. The high Arctic's soundscape is featured in the piece, with ice, fire, bird song, wind, rain, and other natural sounds. The performance occurred during the 2023 MSU Science Festival as part of the Falling Tree Collaborative.
CBC Radio: Quirks & Quarks
in 2021, Phoebe was featured as an expert in the Episode, "Understanding geoengineering - why we need to investigate last resort to tackle climate change". In the episode, we discuss the potential impacts on ecological systems, the risks of solar geoengineering, and why more research is needed. 

MSU Science Festival
The MSU Science Festival (SciFest) attracts over 20,000 participants. This annual event is focused on informing and inspiring the public about science!
  • 2023: Falling Tree Collaborative (see above)
  • In 2018 our lab organized a Science Pub Night featuring talks on Citizen Science and Biodiversity, including talks by Beth and Quentin. 
  • In 2014, Phoebe Zarnetske, Scott Stark, Stephanie Grand, and Malcolm Itter organized, "Climate Change in the Great Lakes Region and Beyond: A Symposium", a featured event during SciFest. Guest speakers and a panel discussion focused on key findings and projections about the region's climate, and what we can do about climate change.

Fate of The Earth
The Environmental Science and Policy Program (ESPP) at MSU hosts the annual Fate of the Earth Symposium - an event for the public and scientists to discuss major synthesis ideas across the sciences and humanities. The symposium occurs in the first week of April. Click here for past and future Symposia.

Teaching

Current:
Professional Development (IBIO 801)
Spatial Ecology (IBIO870/FOR870/FW870) Lab
​Spatial Ecology Graduate Certificate (established by Phoebe 2013)
Past:
Introduction to Forestry (FOR202)
​Forest Ecology (FOR404, 404L)