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. Registration will open two weeks prior to each program.

• 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…

Fire Works! Fire and the Maintenance of Plant Species Diversity in Savannas and Woodlands of Mississippi

Temperate woodlands, savannas and grasslands maintained by frequent, low-intensity disturbances such as fire are among the most species-rich plant communities in the world. Precisely how these disturbances maintain such high diversity is poorly understood. In this Science Café, Dr. Brewer presents the results of long-term experiments that attempt to answer this question.

Dr. Brewer’s research explores the effects of fire and competition on plant biodiversity and restoration in the southeastern coastal plains and forests of the United States. He is also interested in the consequences of fire suppression in the 20th century and the impacts of ecological restoration in forest and savanna ecosystems. 

Registration required

Registration for the February 6th Science Café opens January 23rd on this webpage.

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!