Sierra Club monthly program: Austin’s Underground Frontier
Details
Happy Hour /food and beverages (http://www.scholzgarten.com/menus-and-specials.html): 6-7 pm
Socializing and informal discussions on current events: 6-7 pm
Announcements and program begin at 7 pm
Program: Austin’s Underground Frontier with Nico Hauwert
Across a five-mile wide exposure of Edwards Aquifer (http://www.edwardsaquifer.net/) through Austin, the underground is riddled with caves. These caves are home to Austin’s mascot: the bat, unique cave invertebrates, aquatic salamanders, and a host of other wildlife. The vast majority of Austin’s caves were historically filled for various reasons, decreasing recharge, increasing flood runoff, destroying cave ecosystems, and sealing a part of Austin’s unique heritage.
So let’s dive into a cave to celebrate Valentine’s Day with hydrogeologist and cave expert Nico Hauwert, PhD. Nico Hauwert recently moved from Austin’s Watershed Protection Department to a position as program manager of Balcones Canyonland Preserve (https://www.fws.gov/refuge/balcones_canyonlands/). An adjunct professor at Concordia University, Nico received a bachelors in geological sciences at UT, a masters of science in hydrogeology at the University of Toledo, and a PhD in hydrogeology at UT Austin.
Consider biking, carpooling, or taking Cap Metro (http://www.capmetro.org/planner) to the meeting. Free parking is available after 6pm on San Jacinto and nearby streets.