Open BTU at the zoo: Cottbus hums and buzzes - small helpers, big impact

All interested parties are invited to this lecture evening in the zoo restaurant. Admission is free for all participants via the zoo ticket office from 4 pm.
Registration is not required.

1st lecture
Why insect conservation concerns us all and how humans benefit from it
Insects are indispensable and their decline is jeopardising ecosystems and food security worldwide. In this lecture, interested parties will learn why the protection of insects not only affects the environment, but also us directly. The officer will show the importance of insects as important "service providers", the role of insects in food webs and how society can benefit from sustainable insect conservation measures. Active insect conservation not only protects biodiversity in general, but also our future and quality of life.
Officer: Prof. Dr Klaus Birkhofer, BTU, Chair of Ecology

2nd lecture
The honey bee and its wild sisters - how we can help both
Honey bees are indispensable for our food supply, but wild bees also play a central role in nature. This talk will explain why both are so important to the ecosystem, the challenges that threaten them and how we can protect their habitat.
While honey bees are known for their pollination and honey production, wild bees contribute significantly to biodiversity with their diversity of species. The lecture shows the differences between the two, explains their importance and gives practical tips on how you can take action yourself. Together we can preserve diversity!
Officer: Sven Hoffmann, Cottbus Beekeepers' Association

Moderation:
Stephan Böttcher, City of Cottbus, Head of the Environment and Nature Department

Date: Wednesday, 21 May 2025, 17:30 to 19:00
Location: "Schlodder" zoo restaurant, Cottbus Zoo, Kiekebuscher Str. 5, 03042 Cottbus

Outlook:
On Wednesday, 28 May 2025, as part of the Open BTU series, interested parties are invited to the lecture and discussion evening "Why I won't give up hope" at 5:30 pm in Audimax 1 on the main campus of BTU Cottbus. The speakers are political scientist Prof. Dr Gesine Schwan and Prof. Dr Holger Zaborowski, holder of the Chair of Philosophy at the University of Erfurt.

About the Open BTU lecture series
From 9 April 2025 to 2 July 2025, the public lecture series "Open BTU" will offer insights into exciting areas of knowledge. The following topics will be explored from different perspectives in the summer semester:

• Our soils in Lusatia
• Biodiversity and biodiversity protection (as part of the 33rd Cottbus Environment Week)
• Democracy and hope in the crisis

With this educational format, which is open to all interested parties, the university's Centre for Continuing Education supports lifelong learning and funds the transfer of knowledge and ideas in the region by addressing socially relevant issues. The BTU co-operates with other universities and institutions. Each lecture will be followed by an opportunity for questions and dialogue with the speakers. Anyone interested is cordially invited to take part in the wide range of events on offer.

More about the Open BTU lecture series:
https://www.b-tu.de/weiterbildung/offene-hochschule/open-btu