October 2008

TOPIC:  Carbon Sequestration in Southern Wisconsin Prairie Restorations: The Connection Between Agricultural Land-Use and Climate Change

SPEAKER:  Christopher J. Kucharik

WHEN:  Tuesday, October 21

TIME:  7:00 pm Refreshments
TIME:  7:30 pm Program

WHERE:  Auditorium
UW Arboretum

PARKING:  Free parking at the Arboretum

PRE-MEETING DINNER:  You are invited to join Madison Audubon board members and friends at the pre-program dinner with our speaker beginning at 5:15.

Paisan's 131 West Wilson Street

QUESTIONS?:  Please call the MAS office at (608)255-2473.

So what is carbon sequestration anyway? And what does it have to do with Goose Pond and Faville Grove Sanctuaries? Attend the October meeting to find out!

Madison Audubon is one of many groups restoring native prairie and grassland ecosystems. The payoffs range from improved water retention, reduced runoff of agrochemicals and improved habitat for birds. Another benefit, using prairies to sequester carbon, has recently attracted attention.

Agricultural land-use in the Midwest during the past century has significantly depleted soil organic matter, with subsequent release of soil CO2 to the atmosphere. However, this trend may be slowing with improved agricultural land management, particularly prairie restoration associated with the Conservation Reserve Program and other local initiatives. Speaker Chris Kucharik will review land-use change in Wisconsin and the connection to the climate system, with several local examples that demonstrate the impact of recent prairie restoration on soil carbon sequestration.

Dr. Kucharik is a Senior Scientist at the Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment (SAGE), within the UW-Madison Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. He recently served on a subcommittee for Governor Doyle’s Task Force on Global Warming.