October Pub Talk

Science Pub: “Crosswalks and Crosspollinators: Frameworks for Regional Planning Scenarios and Pollinators”
October 15th, 2024 | 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Sip your favorite brew, while you learn a thing or two! Science Pub is an opportunity to enjoy learning about interesting topics in an informal atmosphere. Just bring your curiosity and a thirst to learn!

There are 2 ways to be at this event:

  1. In Person – Paradise Creek Brewery will be seating indoors at 100% capacity and the pub talk will be broadcast/projected on a the large projection screen in the pub/restaurant area.
  2. On Zoom – Register for the Zoom Talk HERE. Place a food/drink order for pick up at Paradise Creek Brewery’s Downtown Restaurant – 245 SE Paradise St, Pullman. Local delivery is also available. Tip: Place your order early so it’s ready by Pub talk time.

See the Facebook event here

This month’s speakers:

Join Dan Cronan and Brandon Hopkins on Oct 15th for their pub talk, “Crosswalks and Crosspollinators: Frameworks for Regional Planning Scenarios and Pollinators”.

This presentation delves into the critical intersection of food systems and the built environment, with an eye on pollinators, drawing from a rich tapestry of experiences across the inland Northwest. We will investigate how to navigate uncertainty through innovative research frameworks that integrate Food, Energy, and Water Systems (FEWS) analysis, landscape scenario planning, and cutting-edge geospatial tools, including digital twin technology. The session will showcase compelling frameworks developed through scenario modeling and planning, emphasizing the alignment of stakeholder perspectives with research trajectories from NSF-funded initiatives and collaborations with organizations such as Americorps, the National Park Service, and UNESCO. Attendees will gain insights into the process of alternative futures analysis, leveraging geospatial narratives and interactive tools. We will explore the application of web-based platforms, digital twins, and climate atlases to produce scenario-based land use projections that inform community planning and bolster sustainable development in socio-ecological systems, particularly within urban and rural food contexts.

Join us as Prof. Dan Cronan from the School of Design and Construction at WSU and Brandon Hopkins from the Department of Entomology present novel concepts in scenario planning and pollinator programs aimed at enhancing resilience and sustainability in Northwest communities. This discussion promises to inspire innovative approaches to the challenges we face at the intersection of food and urban planning.

Dan Cronan is an Assistant Professor of Food and the Built Environment in the WSU School of Design and Construction. Dan has focused on research, practice, and teaching in multiple locations and scales including projects in China, Turkey, the U.S. Pacific Northwest, New York State and the Gulf Coast. Dan’s research and course instruction are comprised of an Alternative Futures Analysis using a scenario modeling framework through geospatial narratives and tools: Web-based geospatial applications, digital twins, and scenario & climate atlases. The scenario-based land use projections are intended to provide guidance for community planning and a framework for future development in socio-ecological systems, specifically food systems within the urban and rural context. With the School of Design and Construction at WSU, Dan intends to continue to apply similar and novel concepts of scenario planning for food and the built environment for Northwest communities and regional-scale networks.

Brandon Hopkins is an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Entomology at Washington State University, dedicated to finding practical solutions for the beekeeping industry. His work spans bee breeding, varroa mite control, and the development of innovative techniques like cryopreservation for honey bee semen.  Hopkins earned his B.A.E. and M.S. in Biology from Eastern Washington University and his Ph.D. in Entomology from Washington State University. His doctoral research led to the establishment of the world’s first honey bee germplasm repository, a vital resource for preserving genetic diversity in bee populations.  Currently his lab focuses on areas that contribute to honey bee nutrition, pest and disease, and commercial management practices.