SCIENCE PUB 2026-2027
Science Pubs are held the first Sunday of the month at 4 pm at the Lake Bomoseen Lodge and Taproom, 2551 Route 30N in Castleton. The presentations are free. Drinks and dinner are optional. No reservations required for the presentation; dinner reservations can be made on the spot.
November 1, 2026
Restoring the American Elm
Gus Goodwin, Director of Science, The Nature Conservancy in VT
and NH
The American elm’s lovely form and deep shade once graced cities,
farmsteads, and forests throughout eastern North America. In
floodplains, where it is an especially important species, elm
dominated mature, diverse forests. But most of us have never seen
such grand, vital elms because they succumb to Dutch elm disease,
introduced in the early 20th century. Research into breeding trees that are resistant to the disease has been ongoing since, and this year brings an exciting milestone. The
Nature Conservancy and the USDA Forest Service have been working for more than a
decade to find survivors, test their offspring, and establish disease tolerant trees. In spring of 2026, they began testing more than 5,000 experimental trees right in our backyard. National and international media have covered the news, with the Benson research site appearing in more than 400 outlets. Gus Goodwin will share the compelling story.
December 6, 2026
Bringing Up Beaver
John Aberth, Volunteer Wildlife Rehabilitator and Professor of Medieval History
One day in May 2020, a beaver kit was found in St. Albans, VT and handed over to John
Aberth, a wildlife rehabilitator who specializes in beavers. Over the next two years, Dr. Aberth raised BK and prepared him for release into the wild. Meanwhile, the two developed a special and unique bond, which Dr. Aberth documented in a daily diary. That diary became the basis for Bringing Up Beaver, a lively and engaging account of one human’s relationship with a wild animal. This presentation will also include a discussion of the ethical controversies surrounding the trapping of beavers for recreational and “nuisance” control purposes.
February 7, 2027
Keeping “Forever Chemicals” Out of Our Water
Peter Ryan, Professor of Earth & Climate Sciences and
Environmental Studies, Middlebury College
Since the discovery of a PFAS chemical in groundwater in southern Vermont in 2016, these compounds have emerged as environmental pollutants of high concern, and Vermont has been a leader in its response. These “forever chemicals” are toxic to
humans and natural ecosystems, and their resistance to decomposition means that they will persist in the environment fordecades or longer. One way they were introduced into the environment is from FAA-mandated testing of foams used to extinguish jet fuel fires. Once sprayed onto the ground, the PFAS in the foam moves down through the soil and into aquifers. Prof. Ryan will discuss his research, which aims to understand how PFAS moves through groundwater, knowledge that will help limit its presence in aquifers.
March 7, 2027
Birds, Sex and Rock ‘n’ Roll
Samantha Carouso-Peck, Head Ornithologist and Educator, Grassland Bird Trust
Birds can clap, backflip, tango, and inflate themselves. Some build 14 different nests so their mate can choose the one they like best. Some attract a mate using their armpits… or is it wingpits?. Join us for a lively look at bird courtship as Dr. Samantha
Carouso-Peck describes the weird and wild behaviors of birds from around the world when trying to attract mates, sometimes going so far as to risk their lives in pursuit of
love. Learn about their elaborate songs and dances, acrobatic performances, over-the-top ornamentation, complex nest constructions, nuptial gift-giving, and more!
An expert in bird communication, Dr. Carouso-Peck has lived on six different continents in search of interesting birds. She has studied tool use in crows, speech in African Grey Parrots, and vocal learning and development in songbirds.
April 4, 2027
Rabbits, Pentagrams, and Sunflowers:
The Journey of a Pattern Through History and
Nature
Gary Cort, International Management Consultant and Operational Excellence Thought Leader
What could rabbits, pentagrams, and sunflowers possibly have in common?
For more than two thousand years, a mysterious pattern has appeared in unexpected places: in ancient symbols, medieval puzzles, spiraling forms, and even the seeds of a sunflower. This visually rich talk follows that pattern across history, revealing surprising connections between Greek philosophers, Fibonacci’s famous rabbits, and the remarkable structures found in nature. Along the way, we’ll investigate myths, uncover hidden relationships, and discover how simple rules can produce extraordinary beauty. By the end, you may never look at a sunflower the same way again.
No mathematical background required—only curiosity and a sense of wonder.