À propos de nous
What is a Nature Nerd anyway?
A Nature Nerd is someone who wants field based or hands-on experiences (e.g. hikes, citizen science, etc.), but is also interested in the current scientific research (i.e. astronomy, biology, ecology, physics, etc.). Anyone who wants to share what they know and what they are learning is included. Anyone is welcome and encouraged to join regardless of skill level, ability, or location!
Our basic expectation of behavior from everyone is "Be Considerate!'
The outdoor activities we schedule range from the Austin area, across all of Texas, and to other states. Hikes, observational activities (e.g. birding or astronomy), service/restoration/remediation projects with other groups (e.g Sierra Club), kayaking, and climbing are some examples. This includes more challenging back-country excursions with increased costs and skill requirements. If you have an idea for an activity or would like to participate as an event leader please contact any of the organizers.
"Men and women wanted for hazardous journey. No wages, bitter cold and sweltering heat, long hours of bright darkness. Safety doubtful. Wonder certain. More of the same in the event of success." [1]
We do have a basic rule that governs all activities:
No police, other LEA, firemen, EMTs, tax men, or other authority figures in a bad mood. If your event or project requires insurance, licenses, or needs to meet other regulatory requirements it is not Nature Nerds responsibility to provide them.
We also pursue deeper and more technical understandings of our interests by keeping up with the current literature (e.g. paper or book reading/reviews), as well as lectures and classes . These activities can be in person, virtual, or hybrid (i.e. in person and virtual).
Past activities have included nature walks to identify plants and animals, going to presentations (e.g. birds, grasses, and bats), and other activities that increased our knowledge and appreciation of the natural world. We have taken trips to Commons Ford, St. Edwards Park, Breckenridge Lab, and Canyon of the Eagles.
Sharing your experiences with pictures, videos, papers, computer programs, and other media is highly encouraged and your effort is appreciated.
Here are some links to better help explain the scope of our activities:
Basic Research -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basic_research
Hard and Soft Science -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_and_soft_science
Exact Sciences -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exact_sciences
Citizen Science -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizen_science (This used to be called 'Amateur Science' and goes back to at least 1928)
The Amateur Scientist -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Amateur_S...
Open Science -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_science
Backcountry vs. Frontcountry -- https://www.trailspace.com/blog/2010/07/06/backcountry-versus-frontcountry.html
Wilderness Medical Emergency -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilderness_medical_emergency (Please seriously consider taking the time and effort to get CPR and WFA training.)
Leave No Trace -- https://lnt.org/
The 10 Essentials -- https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html (Be sure to select the Expert Advise menu page for more outdoor information!)
The Rule of Threes -- [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_threes_(survival)#:~:text=Normally%2C%20the%20rule%20of%20threes,(extreme%20heat%20or%20cold).](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_threes_(survival)#:~:text=Normally%2C%20the%20rule%20of%20threes,(extreme%20heat%20or%20cold).)
Lightning Safety - American Hiking Society -- https://americanhiking.org/resources/lightning-safety/
Crackpot Index -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crackpot_index
Discovery Hall -- https://txarchives.org/aushc/finding_aids/00673.xml (James Choate was a founding member)
The Exploratorium -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exploratorium
Here are some groups that we partner with:
Austin Sierra Club (Disclosure - James Choate is an Event Leader for the chapter) -- https://www.sierraclub.org/texas/austin
Austin Astronomical Society (Disclosure - James Choate is a member) -- https://austinastro.org/
Austin Physics for Fun (Disclosure - James Choate is an organizer) -- https://www.meetup.com/physics-1/
Capital Area Master Naturalist -- https://camn.org/
Balcones Canyonland Master Naturalist-- https://bctxmn.org/ (Stephanie Putnam is a member of this group, please contact her if you are interested in joining.)
ASMBLY Makerspace - Was ATX Hackerspace -- https://asmbly.org/
Diogenes Makerspace - Private - Our primary build site -- Contact James Choate for more info
South Austin Makerspace (In formation) -- https://www.meetup.com/southaustinmakerspace/
Texas Rock Climbing -- https://www.meetup.com/Texas-Rock-Climbing/
Asheville Science Tavern (Asheville, NC) - We cross-post activities with this group -- https://www.meetup.com/Asheville-Science-Tavern/
@Boslab Boston Open Science Laboratory - We cross-post activities with this group -- https://www.meetup.com/BosLab/
Counter Culture Labs -- https://www.meetup.com/Counter-Culture-Labs...
[1] Brotherton, Mike. "Spider Star" (ISBN 978-0-7653-1125-2).
This is a quote which is itself a play on Ernest Shackleton's supposed request for participants in his Antarctic Expedition:
"Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in event of success."
The irony is it appears that the quote was fabricated many years after the actual event and is nothing more than urban legend.
Événements à venir
7
DIY - Makers - Citizen Science - Nature Nerds - Sci/Tech Geeks - Open Workshop
Diogenes Makerspace, 1917 Hydro Dr · Austin, TX, Austin, TX, USPlease post the topics, questions, items of interest that you'd like to discuss or work on, in the comments below.
If one of them is of interest to you please "Like" the topic. If you have questions just use "Reply" to start/continue the thread.
Unconferences: A Better Way to Run Meetups (28/30) -- https://psychotechnology.substack.com/p/unconferences-a-better-way-to-run
Unconference -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unconference -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Unconferences
What local meetups are currently involved?
- Nature Nerds Austin -- https://www.meetup.com/nature-nerds-of-austin/
- South Austin Makerspace -- https://www.meetup.com/southaustinmakerspace/?eventOrigin=your_groups
- Austin 3D Printing -- https://www.meetup.com/austin-3dprinting/?eventOrigin=your_groups
- Austin Physics for Fun -- https://www.meetup.com/physics-1/?eventOrigin=your_groups
- Austin FPGA -- https://www.meetup.com/austin-fpga-meetup-group/
- Austin Astronomy -- https://www.meetup.com/austin-astronomy-meetup/
- Austin Arduino and MicroController Meetup -- https://www.meetup.com/austin-web-mobile-electronic-club-for-beginners-experts/?eventOrigin=your_groupsThe purpose of this gathering is to build better communication between related meetups, foster community, brainstorm, and have fun!!!
Our default meetings are the first Thursday from 7p-9p and the third Saturday from 10a-12p. We share space with the private adult club Colette. From Wed. to Sat. in the evening they have exclusive use of the parking lot. Please park along the street (if you need help moving gear, just ask).
Hope to you see you here, and don't be afraid to pass the word along :)
1 participant
Global Encryption Coalition - Global Encryption Day - In Person
Central Market, 4001 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX, USThis is an in person event.
Nature Nerds of Austin has this to say...
Encryption touches so many aspects of our lives as well as science and technology, yet almost nobody really is familiar with it. This is an opportunity to get together and discuss the subject across its depth and breadth.
Cryptography -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptography
The Codebreakers: The Story of Secret Writing -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Codebreakers -- https://www.amazon.com/Codebreakers-Comprehensive-History-Communication-Internet/dp/0684831309 -- https://www.cia.gov/static/Review-The-Codebreakers.pdf
Applied Cryptography 2ed. -- https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Applied+Cryptography%3A+Protocols%2C+Algorithms+and+Source+Code+in+C%2C+20th+Anniversary+Edition-p-9781119096726
Schneier on Security -- https://www.schneier.com/
The Global Encryption Coalition started this activity as a means to bring the subject to the attention of everyone across the globe.
Global Encryption Coalition -- https://www.globalencryption.org/
Electronic Frontier Foundation -- https://www.eff.org/
Electronic Frontier Foundation Austin -- https://effaustin.org/
Cypherpunk -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cypherpunk
Austin Cypherpunks -- https://cypherpunks.venona.com/date/1993/11/msg00366.html
Activism: Cypherpunks -- https://www.activism.net/cypherpunk/
Great Hacker War -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Hacker_War
1 participant
Événements passés
1998
