In the Field with Harry Smith and Heather Lynch: Penguins of Antarctica

Central College and Vermeer Charitable Foundation welcome Heather Lynch, "NatGeo Live" host and associate professor of ecology and evolution at Stony Brook University, for a conversation with Harry Smith, award-winning broadcast journalist, storyteller and 1973 graduate.

The conversation will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, in Douwstra Auditorium inside Central Hall on campus. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

In the Field with Harry Smith and Heather Lynch is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by Vermeer Charitable Foundation and Smith.

Lynch and Smith will dive into her research tracking Antarctic wildlife, such as penguins, and how it helps scientists understand climate change.
Through both field work and remote models, much of Lynch's work involves tracking the migratory patterns and community dynamics of these birds. How they move and behave provides insight into the effects of climate change globally.
The studies are all documented in National Geographic-worthy photography. The images will be shared for an immersive experience, taking the audience straight into the outskirts of Antarctica.
"Penguins are the canary in the coal mine that is this massive issue," Smith says. "It's a unique insight that anyone hoping for a better, healthier planet should hear."
"Central is honored to host a world-renowned researcher who's making a real impact on all of our futures," says Central President Mark Putnam. "The far corners of the world will be brought straight to Pella, and it will be a very memorable conversation."