Public lecture, 'Taking a Walk Through South Bend,' at St. Joe County Public Library

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Our Universe Revealed, a public lecture series about science and technology, will host "Taking a Walk Through South Bend," a talk about how urban landscapes can improve air and water quality, on Wednesday at the St. Joe County Public Library from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Deb Marr, Professor of Ecology, Department of Biological Sciences, and Faculty member of Sustainability Studies at IUSB, will explore how urban landscapes can also cool neighborhoods on a hot day and support biodiversity.

Organizers say the City of South Bend is working to double its urban tree canopy coverage, and the lecture will explore ways soil ecology and increasing tree canopy coverage can improve human health.

The lecture will also address the problems of climate change and loss of biodiversity.

Marr will also share early data on ways soil ecology is affected by landscaping practices, and connections between landscape and carbon emissions.

Community members are invited to the Leighton Auditorium at the St. Joe County Public Library.

You can check out the official Facebook event page for further updates and information.