2011-12 Faculty Lecture Series

Peatland systems are common in the northern boreal latitudes where cool moist climatic conditions are conducive to their development. Under certain hydrological conditions peatland environments can also develop in the Rocky Mountains, including many in the Bighorn Mountains. Some Sheridan area residents may not be aware that the Bighorns have an assortment of unique and ecologically important peatland fens. Moreover, these peatland systems have been little studied even though they harbor a number of rare plant and animal species, and are hydrologically connected to Sheridan area water supplies. Peatland systems are also interesting because they record their own histories through the accumulation of macrofossils in the peat, and can inform us about past environments and climates. This lecture will discuss the ecology of these hidden jewels and Zier’s efforts to understand their developmental histories. He will talk about the results of a 2010 peatland survey conducted on the Bighorn National Forest and exchange ideas on future research potential.

Experience the Journey of Sheridan College Dental Hygiene students as they encountered a cultural, historical, and environmental new world on the western rim of the Grand Canyon. A service-learning project at the Peach Springs Health Center in Arizona providing services for the Hualapai Tribe furnished students with a "grass roots" experience in delivering oral health care and coordinating educational experiences to a remote, underserved community.