We all know that London is called "The Forest City," and we all know just as well that it's for a good reason. You can't turn around in this city without seeing at least a handful of trees on all sides of you. But what many Londoners and out-of-towners alike don't realize is that there is a cornucopia of nature that exists in the city aside from the trees.

Beginning on January 17, a sixpart lecture series entitled Nature in the City, which has run successfully for the past six years, will be held on Tuesday nights at the Central Library downtown. The series is run by the Nature London foundation and enlists qualified experts to guide listeners through the various topics at hand.

Pat Tripp, a member of Nature London and one of the lead organizers of the series, gave some insight into what she hoped attendees could take away from the experience. "The idea behind Nature in the City is to get people more aware of their neighbours — their flora and fauna neighbours," she said. "The plants, the animals and the people, we all have to get along. The better we know each other, the easier it becomes to do that."

The series has seen a steadily increasing number of people attending over the past few years. "Last year, we had over 200 people attend each talk," explained Tripp. Even in the cold, dark days of winter, people are inclined to venture out and learn more about their environment. That is, according to Tripp, "because we offer a bright spot in the middle of winter: a new hope for spring."

"Ultimately I hope those who attend can gain better appreciation of who and what is around us," she said. So put on your snowsuit and head on down to the library. You never know what amazing things you might learn.

Each lecture runs from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Wolf Performance Hall in the Central Library located at 251 Dundas St. Two hours of free validated parking through the Central Library is included. Families with children over the age of 10 are welcome, and admission is free.

For more information about Nature London and the Nature in the City talks, visit mcilwraith.ca.

NATURE IN THE CITY LECTURE SCHEDULE

January 17
The Wily Coyote: Is There One in Your Neighbourhood? Increasingly, Londoners are spotting coyotes well within municipal boundaries. Ben Hindmarsh of the Ministry of Natural Resources explains how urban coyotes survive and provides tips on how to reduce conflicts with these resourceful city dwellers.

January 24
Landscaping with Native Plants: How to Make the Switch Adapted to local conditions, native plants are the basis of healthy ecosystems. Ben Porchuk of Landscape Native creates vibrant minimeadows of native plants in urban settings. Learn to combine landscape design and ecological principles through native plantings.

January 31
Effects of Climate Change: What It Means for Local Ecosystems Climate, soil processes and plant health are intimately linked. Warming conditions over winter can alter snow cover and soil frost. Hugh Henry of the UWO Biology Department examines how soils, plants and animals are affected by these changes.

February 7
A River Runs Through It: The Thames River in London London is a river city. Its very existence is defined by the tributaries and branches of the Thames that converge and flow through it. Patrick Donnelly, the City's watershed specialist, presents the Thames and the many interconnections its waters have with our lives.

February 14
Endearing Chickadees: Sociable, Adaptable and Successful Everyone loves chickadees — cheery visitors to winter bird feeders. But just how do they survive in the wild? Expect a few surprises as David Sherry of the UWO Psychology Department reveals how chickadees find, store and retrieve food.

February 21
Kains Woods Environmentally Significant Area: Forested Terraces Sculpted by Glacial Rivers Bordering the Thames River in Byron, Kains Woods ESA possesses remarkable diversity. High bluffs, soaring eagles, steep ravines, hemlock groves, industrious beavers and ancient river terraces are but a sampling. Nature London's Winifred Wake introduces this natural jewel.