Here's the scoop on a May 11 climate panel discussion:

For the third consecutive year, the Asheville chapter of the American Meteorological Society and the Colburn Earth Science Museum are presenting "Global Changes, Local Impacts," a series of free scientific talks about climate change.

The third and final talk of this year’s series is “Climate Change and Local Wildlife and Plants” at 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 11, at the Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place in downtown Asheville.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Climatic Data Center Deputy Director Dr. Scott A. Hausman will present the latest information on climate change and wildlife and plants at the May 11 talk. Panelists scheduled for the talk are Highlands Biological Station Director and Western Carolina University’s H.F. and Katherine P. Robinson Professor of Biology Dr. James T. Costa; Bent Creek Institute Executive Director Cheryl McMurry; and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fish and Wildlife Biologist/Botanist Carolyn L. Wells.

After the talk, the Colburn Earth Science Museum will host a free "meet-the-panelists" reception at the museum. Scientific Research Corp., Burleson & Earley, P.A.., Blue Heron Home Builders and Education Research Services are sponsors of the series. ounded in 1960, the Colburn Earth Science Museum fosters an appreciation for the Earth and its resources and environments through exhibits, educational programs and the care of its collection. The Colburn educates thousands of schoolchildren each year and creates experiences that inspire our diverse community about the wonders of Earth science.

The Colburn Earth Science Museum is at 2 South Pack Square at Pack Place in downtown Asheville. The museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and 1-5 p.m., Sunday. Visit www.colburnmuseum.org, www.facebook.com/Colburn.Museum, or call (828) 254-7162 for more information.

The Asheville Chapter of the American Meteorological Society also was founded in 1960. As home to several of the nation’s key assets related to climate data and information including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Climatic Data Center, and the Department of Defense’s Strategic Climate Information Service, composed of the U.S. Air Force’s 14th Weather Squadron and the U.S. Navy’s Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Detachment, Asheville is home to numerous experts working in atmospheric sciences and other related disciplines. The focus of the chapter is to capitalize on these resources and offer speakers at our monthly meetings who are truly experts in their field. In spring 2007, the chapter began hosting a series of public education talks to provide information on climate change. The series was so successful that the Asheville chapter was recognized as the 2007 AMS Chapter of the Year.

MEDIA CONTACT: Please contact Colburn Earth Science Museum Executive Director Kathleen O. Davis at kodavis@colburnmuseum.org or (828) 254-7162 for more information.Read the full article