Lecture: "After the Blast: Mount St. Helens 40 Years Later"

114 East 3rd Avenue,Ellensburg WA 98926

21 April, 2022

Description

Writer and biologist Eric Wagner will take you on a journey through the blast zone, from eruption to present day. Writer and Biologist Eric Wagner will present "After the Blast: Mount St. Helens 40 Years Later" on Thursday, April 21st at 6pm. The event is in-person at the Museum, free, and open to the public. Seating will be limited -- tickets will be available closer to the event date. This event is in partnership with the Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau. *About This Program: On May 18, 1980, the world watched in awe as Mount St. Helens erupted, killing 57 people and causing hundreds of square miles of destruction. Everyone thought it would take ages for life to return to the mountain, but scientists who visited soon after were stunned to find plants sprouting up through the ash and animals skittering around downed trees. Ecologists have since spent decades studying life’s resilience in the face of seemingly total devastation. Through their work, the eruption of Mount St. Helens has become known as the greatest natural experiment in Pacific Northwest history. In this talk, Eric Wagner takes you on a journey through the blast zone. He explores not just the surprising ways plants and animals survived the eruption, but also the complex roles that people have played, all while showing how fascinating Mount St. Helens still is 40 years after the blast. *About Eric Wagner: Eric Wagner (he/him) is a writer and biologist. He holds a PhD in biology from the University of Washington, where he studied penguins. He is the author of three books, including After the Blast: The Ecological Recovery of Mount St. Helens. His writing has appeared in The Atlantic, Orion, and High Country News, among many other places. Wagner lives in Seattle. *Current Guidelines: Please note that this is an in-person event. As a precaution against the continued threat of COVID-19, the host site agrees to follow all local, state, and federal safety guidelines for public gatherings. *About Humanities Washington: Humanities Washington is a nonprofit organization dedicated to opening minds and bridging divides by creating spaces to explore different perspectives. For more about Humanities Washington, visit www.humanities.org. *About the Speakers Bureau Program: In communities throughout Washington State, Speakers Bureau presenters give free public presentations on history, politics, music, philosophy, spiritual traditions, and everything in between. Their roster of over 30 Speakers Bureau presenters is made up of professors, artists, activists, historians, performers, journalists, and others—all chosen not only for their expertise, but also for their ability to inspire discussion with people of all ages and backgrounds. Hundreds of Speakers Bureau events take place each year. Find a Speakers Bureau event near you. To reach as many Washingtonians as possible, Humanities Washington partners with a wide range of organizations, including libraries, schools, museums, historical societies, community centers, and civic organizations. Qualifying nonprofit organizations are encouraged to host a speaker. The Speakers Bureau program is made possible with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the State of Washington via the Office of the Secretary of State, the Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service at Washington State University, and generous contributions from other businesses, foundations, and individuals.