A MORNING OF DUNG BEETLES
Soil Management - Ecosystem Process Management
How to Make "Lemonade" Out of Poop!

John Feehan, through his passion for dung beetles, won the Medal of the Order of Australia for his work in the introduction of dung beetles and their benefit to the sustainability of Australian agriculture. He has over 30 years of experience in identifying, rearing, collecting and releasing dung beetles throughout Australia. He matches species to climate and to the needs of ranchers, farmers, compost suppliers, and even dog owners. He is visiting in the United States for several weeks and has graciously accepted our invitation to briefly stop in Austin. We therefore have a rare opportunity to hear John in person talk about dung beetles and about restoring ecological balance to systems we have disrupted.

Dr. Pat Richardson and UT graduate student, Peg Wallace will join Feehan in a discussion of the role of dung beetles in ecosystem process management in both urban and rural environments. Dr. Richardson, a UT scientist of rangeland ecology and the soil food web, is well known for her research and passion for dung beetles. Peg Wallace, in her 3rd year of research with Dr. Richardson, is investigating dung beetles (and other invertebrates) found associated with dog dung in urban ecosystems.

When: 9am to noon, Tuesday, July 22, 2003

Where: Center for Environmental Research (CER) at Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Facility, 2210 S. FM 973, Austin TX 78725

Fee: $10 per person (includes BBQ lunch at noon) RSVP (by July 18th) to Kevin Anderson at CER, 512-972-1960 or email Kevin.Anderson@ci.austin.tx.us (attendance is limited to 60 persons)

Directions: From Austin, go east on Hy 71, (as though you were going to the airport). Continue on Hy 71 past the airport. At the first stoplight past the airport, turn left onto FM 973. Cross the Colorado River, come
up the hill and Hornsby Bend will be the first left, where sign says Austin Wastewater-Hornsby Bend- Center for Environmental Research (CER) facility. Then take first right into the parking area for the administration building/CER (lots of pecan trees, pond near front door).

If you have questions, contact Pat Richardson at 512-471-4128 or email patr@biosci.utexas.edu