The Xerces Blue was the first North American butterfly to become extinct. The California Condor became extinct in the wild. But, as Barry Thomson of West Valley College, California, describes, that wasn't the end, thanks to museum genomics – using DNA from museum specimens to provide vital information on genetic identity.
Join Orkney wildlife guide Megan Taylor to follow the coastline along Orphir Bay, and part of the Scapa Flow coastline. There is a range of habitats including coastal, rocky shores, heath and farmland with a variety of wildlife to be seen. This walk offers an extension to the short walk round Orphir Bay on Saturday 3rd. Event now cancelled.
The third of three discussions over tea/coffee/biscuits with Daniel Kenning, co-founder of the concept of Transition Engineering. Its aim: to provide us with methods to systematically solve problems and plan for a better future. Today he looks at how such a new vision can be developed.
Drop by to meet volunteers from Orkney Marine Mammal Research Initiative (OMMRI), who will let you have a look through their telescope and share information about their work and how to identify different species.
Youngeens fae the primary schools in North Ronaldsay and Papay have been working together to explore and celebrate their island culture. Exploring both land and sea, on foot and tall ship (the Swan), the pupils have worked with local musicians (Jen Austin and Eric Linklater).
We’re told that a big planting of trees is needed in the Highlands and Islands to combat climate change. But which trees, and where? The decisions, says Prof. Roger Crofts, have to be thought through very carefully to avoid problems from the past with poor soil management and the use of the wrong species of trees.
Join a group of artists and oceanographers who are applying the ancient art of paper-folding to better visualise the rich and complex food web of northern oceans. The team say the workshop is suitable for paper-folders of all experience levels, although smaller children may want to team up with an adult.
Take a break at an ideal place, with tea and coffee coming round and a range of fresh local produce on the tables. There’s a 10-minute story as well at around 3.30 pm. Today Sarah Jane Gibbon has stories of island journeys made by her grandmother, the writer Bessie Skea (‘Countrywoman’).
Join Professor Niamh Nic Daéid from the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science at the University of Dundee for a talk and discussion about forensic science in practice and how the field is developing with new technology (and the challenges it brings).
Compartmentalisation and institutional thinking is blocking fresh land use solutions, say two Scottish biologists. They build instead on ideas of earlier Scottish ecologists and from the Nordic countries. One of them, Derek Pretswell, describes their approach to regenerating the whole ecosystem of land and wildlife and people.
Sir William Herschel, who died 200 years ago, discovered infrared radiation and the planet Uranus, built his own reflecting telescopes - and composed symphonies, concertos, sonatas, church music. Astronomer Dr Anne-Marie Weijmans tells his story. Elizabeth Sullivan, Valerie Webster and George McPhee play his music.
The Russian biologist Nikolai Vavilov followed a dream: building up a world seed bank for crops to feed the planet. His team looked after the massive seed bank in Leningrad, through the German siege of the city and famine and bitter cold - as Prof. Lee Alan Dugatkin of the University of Louisville, Kentucky, describes.
Underwater hydrophones at the Fall of Warness. The wind driving the turbines on Hammars Hill. Building a tidal machine at Leask Marine’s workshop. An electric car and a home air to water heating system. Brian Cromarty has used field recordings to compose four pieces of music inspired by Orkney’s energy story.
A science festival has a radical role in developing a creative climate for a region. Here is the story of how it began, and how Orkney was involved from an early stage in the concept.
