Many students may think of London as a second home: it's the place they're getting an education, the place they head to party and the place they live in for three-quarters of the year. But how often do students stop to think about the wildlife that London is home to all year round?

A series of free talks sponsored by Nature London and the London Public Library aims to bring thoughts of flora and fauna to the forefront of full- and part-time Londoners' minds.

"(The goal is to) familiarize Londoners with nature right within the city, in the hopes that they will be kind to nature, and think of nature when they're making individual and political decisions," explained Pat Tripp, a member of Nature London and one of the organizers of the program.

"This is the sixth year we've done it," said Tripp. "The average was about 200 (attendees) at each of the six meetings last year … we were quite pleased."

This year, the organization hopes to attract more young people to the talks. "I think it's particularly appealing to young people who are keen about the world and preserving it. It's our way of thinking, of helping to do that. It's sort of a think globally, act locally (idea)."

"On a microcosm, that's what we're doing: getting people to think of the nature next door," said Tripp. "With everybody doing their little bit, it perhaps helps in a bigger way."

The lectures feature authoritative guest speakers from across Ontario, with detailed knowledge on various aspects of local wildlife. Tripp described the talks as illustrative. They can help people to start "thinking of nature in terms of the world's health," she said.

Each of the six lectures will take place at the Wolf Performance Hall in the Central Library at 251 Dundas St. They run from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., with two hours free validated parking.

For more information about Nature London, visit www.mcilwraith.ca.

Nature London Lectures

January 18: Talking Turkey
The turkey population in southern Ontario has risen rapidly over the past decades. Karen Auzins tells the story of operating "the mother of all bird feeders" from her backyard.

January 25: Invasive Plants
It's a battle for soil when alien species make their way to Ontario and edge out native plants. Ian Jean of the Ausable-Bayfield Conservation Authority will talk about what's happening in the world of plants.

February 1: The Elusive Badger
A talk by Ron Gould of the Ministry of Natural Resources will outline badgers, one of the rarest species of local mammals.

February 8: Yeasts in the City
André Lachance of the UWO Biology Department will illustrate how yeast does more than make bread rise. From tree slime to a relationship with fruit flies, yeast is a hardworking beast.

February 15: The Buzz on Social Insects
Don't bug out - Graham Thompson of the UWO Biology Department explains how insects form communities that are necessary to ensure the smooth functioning of the natural world.

February 22: Meadowlily Nature Preserve
Don Gordon, executive director of the Thames Talbot Land Trust, discusses protecting the diverse abundance of wildlife at Meadowlily.