Earth University (EU) is back with classes that will inform and inspire you to take whatever steps you can to become a crusader for creation. All EU classes will be on Zoom and the links can be found on the Countryside Calendar, countrysideucc.org/calendar, every week. Classes are from 7:00 – 8:30 PM Thursday evenings beginning April 15 and ending May 20.

FATE, Countryside’s creation justice committee, is the sponsoring group for Earth University. We welcome anyone who is moved by the urgency of the climate crisis to join our committee and help us educate, advocate and create hope for a healthy, equitable environment for all living things.
For more information you can contact Christy Palmer at christysuepalmer@gmail.com or Ann Naylor at annnaylor32@gmail.com.

Thursday, April 15, 7:00 – 8:30 PM “A Life on Our Planet”

Celebrated British naturalist, Sir David Attenborough, now 93,has visited every continent on the globe, exploring the wild places of our planet and documenting the living world in all its
variety and wonder. Now for the first time, he reflects upon the defining moment of his lifetime as a naturalist and the devastating changes he has seen. This visually stunning documentary is his witness statement of humanity’s impact on nature and a message of hope for future generations.

Thursday, April 22, 7:00 – 8:30 PM, Earth’s Energy Balance

Dr. Zac Suriano, UNO Geology professor, will be joining us to explain the many factors that influence how energy from the sun hits the planet and is reflected back into the atmosphere.
This reflected energy (albedo) is a fundamental component of the Earth’s energy balance. Shifts in the albedo can throw this energy balance out of whack causing dire climactic
consequences.

Thursday, April 29, 7:00 – 8:30 PM, Soil, Carbon and Permafrost

Dr. Ashlee Dere , UNO Geology Professor and soil expert, will return to EU to explain how soil sequesters and releases carbon and why this matters to us. As the Earth warms it causes the Arctic permafrost to thaw releasing carbon and other greenhouse gases in a big way. Whether in Nebraska or the Arctic , soil plays a crucial role in our planet’s health.

Thursday, May 6, 7:00 – 8:30 PM, Nebraska Interfaith Power and Light

Today, many Nebraskans remain uninformed about the facts of climate change, and about its implications for Nebraska’s water supply, agricultural production, economy and public health. The
faith community is a vibrant sector of life in Nebraska with 90% of residents identifying as Christian and growing numbers of Jewish, Unitarian, Buddhist, Muslim and Hindu communities as
well. Faith communities are uniquely well-suited to respond to this most pressing moral issue of our time. Nebraska Interfaith Power and Light is bringing its considerable resources of faith to
the table in response to this crisis. Ken Winston,JD, Director of Policy & Outreach for Nebraska
Interfaith Power and Light will lay out the why and how people of faith can get in the action of mitigating the climate change crisis.

Thursday, May 13, 7:00-8:30 PM, Doug Tallamy “Living Landscape” Video

You are not going to want to miss this excellent video on how to create your own “homegrown national park” in your backyard that will sustain insects, pollinators, birds and humans. Dr. Tallamy, Professor of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Delaware, is knowledgeable, passionate and entertaining in this mini course on ecology.