Science Café

Wind down from the workday by learning something new over drinks! Join Overton Park Conservancy at the Golf Clubhouse for a happy hour with guest speakers who will share unique perspectives from their corners of the scientific world. All are welcome; no previous scientific knowledge required

Science Café is scheduled for 5:30 pm the first Tuesday of each month February-May.

• February 6th | Dr. Stephen Brewer | Department of Biology, University of Mississippi | Disturbance ecology of plants
• March 5th | Sarah Houston & Dr. Scott Schoefernacker | Protect Our Aquifer | Hydrogeology of the Memphis Sands Aquifer
• April 2nd | Dr. Shawn Brown | Department of Biological Sciences, University of Memphis | Microbial communities
• May 7th | Dr. Malle Carrasco-Harris | Overton Park Conservancy | Copperheads in Overton Park

Coming up…

Whiskey, Wine, and White Oaks: expanded research into white oak forest restoration focusing on fungi and pathogens

White oaks are a major hardwood forest species in the Southeast United States but with over-harvesting and pathogen stress, new seedling recruitment is poor.  Given the importance of white oaks to the spirits industry and the high seedling mortality in natural and artificial plantings, new research is needed to promote reforestation success. Dr. Brown will discuss his ongoing research on fungal and pathogen monitoring to improve white oak success to maintain healthy and harvestable forests.

Dr. Brown is an Associate Professor in the department of Biological Sciences at the University of Memphis. He earned his PhD at Kansas State University and did postdoctoral training at University of Illinois and Oregon State University. His research focuses on  plant-microbial interactions and uses this framework to understand how land use changes, disturbances, and agricultural systems can improve ecosystem services.

Registration required

Registration opens two weeks in advance.

Questions? Send us an email 

Please review our cancellation policy here.

Overton Park Conservancy is the nonprofit organization that has been caring for Memphis’s central green space since 2012. With the generous support of our community, we work each day to make the park a beautiful and welcoming place for all Memphians, as well as a valuable source of urban habitat for wildlife.

The Conservancy must raise roughly 85% of our budget each year from people like you who care about the many things Overton Park has to offer. A gift of any amount helps us maintain and improve the park.

Thanks to ServiceMaster by Stratos for sponsoring this program!