Joseph Jenkins Lecture Series 

Now in its 47th year, the Joseph Jenkins Lecture Series features educational and entertaining presentations on environmental, natural history, and scientific topics.  Lectures are held Wednesdays at 7:30 pm at either the Cable Community Center or the Museum Education Room throughout the summer. Please check our calendar of events for location. Most lectures are free, but donations are always accepted.

2011 Summer Programs 

Walking the Forest Road with Ed & Janice Moll (July 6)
Forest roads allow access and permit views of nature that might otherwise be difficult to attain in an intact forest.  Bird, wildflower and wildlife sightings provide a kaleidoscope of color.  This presentation is an account of over a half century of walking the Northwoods forest roads.  7:30 pm at the Cable Community Centre.

Full Circle Superior (July 13)
Full Circle Superior is a commitment to fresh water highlighted by a 1550 mile trek around Lake Superior accomplished by the husband and wife team - Kate Crowley and Mike Link - in 2010. The combination of biological physical, and cultural research with the adventure of walking around the largest lake in the world was a dramatic experience that Mike and Kate continue to share with photos and stories from the trek. 7:30 pm at the Cable Community Centre.

Fascinating Feeder Friends with Renowned Birder Laura Erickson (July 20)
Chickadees and hummingbirds are favorite visitors at our backyard feeders. This time of the year they are exciting to watch as the chicks fledge and become independent. Gain insights into behavior you can watch at your feeders, and learn how these tiny creatures survive sub-zero winters or migrate thousands of miles. The program, a benefit for the Museum, will be followed by a dessert buffet. $10/in advance; $12/at the door; $25/family rate. 7:30 pm at the Cable Community Centre. This program is presented in memory of Ruth Mroz.

Loon Watch (July 27)
Many visitors and residents associate a great Northwoods experience with the haunting call of the common loon. The loon is a sentinel species - a living symbol of clean water, good fisheries, and an indicator of healthy aquatic ecosystems. LoonWatch coordinator, Erica LeMoine, will talk about volunteer monitoring programs, loon behavior and phenology, the potential impact of the Gulf oil spill, other threats to loons and what you can do to help protect loons and their habitat. 7:30 pm at the Cable Community Centre.

Ripping Apart Rocks: Geology of the Midcontinent Rift with Tom Fitz (August 3)
Over 1 billion years ago the core of our continent threatened to pull apart. Oceans invaded Iowa, lava flowed over Wisconsin. Northland College geology professor Tom Fitz will tell how this ancient event created the Lake Superior basin and still impacts our world today. 7:30 pm at the Cable Natural History Museum.

Winged Wonders Live Raptor Program with the Raptor Education Group, Inc. (August 10)
Have you ever met an owl face to face? What about a hawk? A falcon? Meet some of Wisconsin's common, but rarely encountered birds. Discover what a raptor is, hear their stories and learn what you can do to ensure they remain a significant part of the ecosystem. 7:30 pm at the Cable Community Centre. This program in presented in memory of Ruth Mroz.

Antarctica - The Forgotten Continent (August 17)
Have you ever wondered what goes on down at the bottom of the globe? Cary Palmer does support work for the National Science Foundation on Antarctica. He'll share stories and science from the forgotten continent at 7:30 pm at the Cable Natural History Museum.