The second event of the Zahner Conservation Lecture Series season will take place on Thursday, June 18, and will feature Lauren D. Pharr, postgraduate researcher at North Carolina State University, presenting “Story: Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, Conservation, and the Science Inside the Nest.”
The red-cockaded woodpecker once faced a severe decline as longleaf pine forests disappeared across the southeastern United States. Today, it stands as one of the most recognized examples of successful species recovery.
In this presentation, Pharr will share the “w(hole) story” of this remarkable bird, exploring both the history of its conservation and the science taking place inside its nest cavities. Drawing from her research on partial brood loss, Pharr will discuss how these cooperative birds live in family groups and how factors such as group size and environmental conditions influence chick survival. Her work provides a fascinating glimpse into the hidden lives of these endangered woodpeckers and the conservation efforts that have helped bring them back from the brink.
The lectures are held every Thursday evening at 6 p.m. through Aug. 6 at the Highlands Nature Center. Admission is free. To view the full Zahner Conservation Lecture Series schedule, visit highlandsbiological.org/zahner.