Science Café

Encore: Where have all the oaks gone? How tree species have changed in the Old Forest since Larry Finch coached the Tigers

Forests are dynamic ecosystems changing constantly in response to natural and human-induced disturbances, climate change, and introduced plants and animals. One of the most concerning trends in eastern deciduous forests has been the lack of oak recruitment and the potential loss of ecosystem value these foundational species provide. Studies abound on the potential causes and consequences of oak loss in rural forests; however, little is known about oak-dominated urban forests. In this talk, Eric Bridges will discuss the changing species composition and stand structure in the Old Forest State Natural Area and what these changes might mean for the future of oaks and native biodiversity in this and other urban forests.

Dr. Eric Bridges is the Director of Operations & Capital Improvements for the Overton Park Conservancy in Memphis, TN. He earned his B.S. in Forestry from Colorado State University and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Forestry from Mississippi State University where he studied urban forest economics and urban forest dynamics. Eric is a Society of American Foresters (SAF) Certified Forester and an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist. He has worked as a professional forester for 35 years in Alaska, Colorado, California and Tennessee. Eric volunteers for the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council, teaches community-based urban forestry courses, and was a founding member of the Memphis Tree Board.

This event is pay-what-you-can, with a suggested contribution of $5 per person. Please first select a ticket level, and use the donation button if you would like to make an additional gift to support the Conservancy’s work.

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Overton Park Conservancy is the nonprofit organization that has been caring for Memphis’s central green space since 2012. With the generous support of our community, we work each day to make the park a beautiful and welcoming place for all Memphians, as well as a valuable source of urban habitat for wildlife.

The Conservancy must raise roughly 90% of our budget each year from people like you who care about the many things Overton Park has to offer. A gift of any amount helps us maintain and improve the park.