Join Curator of Paleontology Eric Scott on Sunday, September 11, for a Sunday afternoon presentation, “Before Global Warming: The Ice Ages in Southern California”. This lecture will be held at 2 p.m. in the Fisk Gallery of the San Bernardino County Museum, and is free with museum admission.

Although it may seem counterintuitive given southern California’s recent heat wave, we are actually in the midst of Earth’s most recent series of ice ages. Beginning more than two million years ago, near the beginning of the Pleistocene Epoch, these ice ages are characterized by prolonged periods of expanding glaciations and cooler temperatures, punctuated by shorter “interglacial” periods of warming—including the warm (and often hot) period we live in today. In the raging debate concerning global warming and its effects, scientists argue heatedly about the degree to which humans are impacting global temperatures, but have detailed records for only the past century or so.

In his lecture, Mr. Scott will look much farther back in time, reviewing our knowledge of the Pleistocene glaciations and their effects on inland southern California. What was our inland region like during glacial periods? What kinds of animals and plants lived here? How does the global record of glacial and interglacial periods shed light on the current global warming debate? Mr. Scott will address all of these questions, and will also briefly touch upon the ultimate “global warming” awaiting all of life in the Earth’s far distant future. It’s a “cool” lecture on a “hot” topic that you won’t want to miss!

The San Bernardino County Museum is at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. Museum admission is $6 (adult), $5 (student or senior), and $4 (children ages 5 to 12). Children under 5 and Museum Association members are admitted free. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sbcountymuseum.org or call (909) 307-2669 / TDD/TTY: (909) 792-1462.

The San Bernardino County Museum is accessible to persons with disabilities. If assistive listening devices or other auxiliary aids are needed in order to participate in museum exhibits or programs, requests should be made through Museum Visitor Services at least three business days prior to your visit. Visitor Services’ telephone number is (909) 307-2669 ext. 229 / TDD/TTY: (909) 792-1462.

The San Bernardino County Museum is accessible to persons with disabilities. If assistive listening devices or other auxiliary aids are needed in order to participate in museum exhibits or programs, requests should be made through Museum Visitor Services at least three business days prior to your visit. Visitor Services’ telephone number is (909) 307-2669 ext. 229 / TDD/TTY: (909) 792-1462.