Dates: 4 August 2024

Times: 11am - 3pm

Venue: Black Sugarloaf, Birralee

Tune into a world of tiny treasures

During a walk in the forest, naturalist and celebrated slime mould expert Sarah Lloyd will describe the life cycle of slime moulds and their role in the ecosystem.

Sarah will indicate the sort of places slime moulds inhabit, how and where to find them, and outline the difficulties of identifying Australian species, many of which require DNA sequencing to confirm their identity. Participants will also get the chance to view numerous species under a microscope, and Sarah will demonstrate the photo stacking technique used to view the detail in these mostly small and very beautiful organisms.

This is a rare opportunity to walk alongside one of science’s self-taught experts, in an exceptional natural laboratory. Sarah has spent the past 14 years studying and collecting slime moulds (myxomycetes) in the wet eucalypt forest and based on her work, the area is now recognised as one of the world centres of myxomycete diversity.

Notes:
Photography will not be allowed during the tour. There will be a 2.5 km walk through the forest, so a reasonable level of fitness is required. Wear warm clothes and walking shoes or boots. Please bring lunch and, if possible, a 10x hand lens (loupe) and head lamp or torch. If you do not have this equipment, Sarah has a few spares she can lend.

This is a small-group tour with a maximum of 10 participants. If you miss out, put your name on the waitlist and we will contact you if a space opens up, and we’ll do our best to organise a second session if there’s a lot of demand.

We'll email ticket holders driving directions prior to the event.

A Seat at the Table
Beaker Street Festival's pay-it-forward initiative, A Seat at the Table, helps make our science and art offerings accessible to those who can't afford to purchase a ticket. Ticket buyers have the option to donate towards the cost of a stranger's ticket. You won't know who you've helped, but your donation will go directly to allowing someone else to access this great event. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

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More about Beaker Street Festival
Beaker Street Festival is a week-long celebration of science and art in Lutruwita/Tasmania each August. Now in its eighth year, Beaker Street Festival promises a mix of wonder, flavour, and scientifically proven fun. The Festival invites adults from all walks of life to delve into today’s hottest topics with a packed program of science-infused entertainment and discussions, while experiencing the best of Tasmanian environments and culture. View the entire program at www.beakerstreet.com.au

BEAKER STREET FESTIVAL
AUGUST 6-13 2024