FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 21, 2024

Saluda Library speaker series continues through the fall

SALUDA, N. C., (August 21, 2024) Thanks to a generous Free Community Events grant from Polk County Community Foundation, and a partnership between Polk County Public Libraries and Conserving Carolina, a speaker series occurs at Saluda Library on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 2pm, through November 2024.

Next up in the series is “Moths and Why We Need to Think About Them Differently,” which will be presented by naturalist, photographer, and writer Sharon Mammoser on September 10th. Moths and their caterpillars are the foundation of the food chain, especially appealing to songbird parents who must feed their growing chicks. The diversity is shocking, as are the colors, shapes, and adaptations. In this program we get an introduction to the amazing world of moths, including a chance to see and learn about some of our more amazing local moths. We’ll also learn about their important place in the food web and how we can make our yards and outdoor spaces more moth-friendly.

Carrie Blair, founder of Tree Lovers School, will present Reading Trees on October 8th. She will discuss ways to help you identify trees by their various characteristics, habitats, branch patterns, leaves, flowers, seeds, thorns, buds, and leaf scars. She’ll also teach some of the terms you should know when learning about and discussing trees.

The November 12th program, Freshwater Mussels of the Western Carolinas, will be presented by Hans Lohmeyer, freshwater ecologist and Conserving Carolina Stewardship Coordinator. Dive into the captivating world of freshwater mussels found in the mountain and foothill regions of the Carolinas, as we unravel their biology, ecology, and pressing conservation concerns. This engaging talk offers a comprehensive overview of these remarkable creatures, exploring their unique life cycle, habitat preferences, and the factors contributing to their alarming decline.

Please register for these events at conservingcarolina.org/calendar. Contact Pam Torlina at pam@conservingcarolina.org with questions or for more information.

Polk County Public Libraries has two libraries, Columbus Library and Saluda Library, with books, movies, music, audiobooks, and downloadable eBooks and audiobooks available for checkout, as well as public computers and wireless internet access. PCPL also offers regularly scheduled virtual and in-person programs for all ages. To learn more, visit www.polklibrary.org.