Water And The Environment

OLLI of Greater Birmingham presents Water and the Environment, with instructor James Lowery, retired Director of Management Support Services, UAB; serves on 9 environmental boards.  Each week will feature a different focus.  September 8: Antartica; Personal Encounters with the White Continent combines the sights, wildlife, and scientific information from trips to Antartica, the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and South America.  September 15: Water, Water Everywhere (The Netherlands).  A presentation about a country that must dealdaily with the dynamics of living below sea level of the North Sea, water control, and continual water removal since the 1200s.  At the same time, the country is dependent on waterways for living, commerce, and travel.  September 22: Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment.  Wetland plants clean water naturally by removing or immobilizing pollutants thru several processes.  Treatment wetlands are being used throughout the world (and Alabama) for wastewater from municipalities, mining operations, landfills, agricultural operations,etc.  September 29:  Creek Walking in Birmingham.  By walking in the creeks, the instructor has observed first-hand the dynamics of the creeks, what has been done to them, and the impact on wildlife.  The program will show what the 3 major urban tributaries of Shades Creek look like.