GGP Seminar: Loring Bullard, "Ecological Effects of Artificial Light at Night"

Loring Bullard is an MSU alumnus, author of four water-related books and educator. His presentation, the "Ecological Effects of Artificial Light at Night" will be something new for everyone!

The abstract for his talk is: Artificial light at night has grown exponentially over the past few decades, even more steeply than human population growth. Almost all living organisms respond in some way to light, whether natural or artificial. The negative environmental effects of artificial light on organisms and ecosystems are now widely recognized, but most studies are fairly recent, and many more are needed in order to fully evaluate these effects. In any case, the known effects vary widely between organisms and environmental conditions. This symposium will focus on the general effects of artificial light at night on several groups of organisms, including fireflies, bats, birds, insects, sea turtles, frogs, and mammals, including humans. Most of the information comes from the book, Ecological Consequences of Artificial Night Lighting, Catherine Rich and Travis Longcore, editors. Methods to reduce the negative effects of artificial light on organisms and ecosystems will be discussed.

From 1989-2012, Bullard served as the executive director for the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks, a not-for-profit water quality protection group. Prior, he worked as an environmental health supervisor, Springfield-Greene County Health Department. Since 2015, he has worked with the James River Basin Partnership as a watershed consultant. He has a master's degree in Natural and Applied Science, Missouri State University. He taught environmental science and aquatic biology courses at Drury University, 2010-2015. Books he has published are, Living Waters: The Springs of Missouri, Consider the Source; A History of the Springfield Public Water Supply, Healing Waters: Missouri's Historical Mineral Springs and Spas, and Springs of Greene County. He has a lifelong love of water and enjoys canoeing and fishing on Ozark streams. Bullard is married to Beth, has two daughters and lives here in Springfield.

Free