Dessert with Discussion: Health of migratory birds in the face of a changing landscape with Dr. Jen Owen

Dr. Jen Owen, associate professor in MSU’s Department of Fisheries and Wildlife and Director of Michigan State Bird Observatory, will present the spring 2022 Dessert with Discussion talk, “Health of migratory birds in the face of a changing landscape“.

As the Earth’s human population grows, our connection with animals and the environment changes. Dr. Owen will discuss:

• the unpredictable changes in food availability for migratory birds in the face of a changing landscape.
• how the availability and quality of food resources relates to birds’ role in the spread of zoonotic pathogens.

Pathogens harbored by wildlife can pose risks to human health, and human activities can alter infection dynamics and wildlife populations, which also can impact human health. Dr. Owen’s work involves developing tools to monitor and prevent infectious disease spread by migratory birds. These research efforts contribute to the study of interdependency between the health of humans, wildlife and the ecosystem.

The talk will be held in person and also will be streamed via Zoom. People attending in person will also be able to take home a to-go dessert to enjoy after the talk.

Registration required.

Questions? Please call (269) 671-2015 or email communityrelations@kbs.msu.edu.
Dessert with Discussion is a FREE lecture series that connects the KBS and MSU research community with our local community. Please consider making a gift to the Dessert with Discussion Endowment to support this community event. Thank you!

Visit organizational booths before and after the talk to learn more and get involved!