Think & Drink: The Wild is Calling and You’ve Got the Tool to Answer

What if the wild isn’t something you travel to—but something you can turn back on where you live? In this talk, I’ll share stories from cities around the world where people are using simple tools—like citizen science apps, listening experiences, and even “talking trees”—to reconnect with nature in everyday life. The heart of the talk is a simple ladder: connection to place, connection to species, and connection to purpose. Because once you start noticing the nature around you, you start caring—and once you care, you start acting.

I’ll show how a tiny shift in attention—learning the name of one local tree, bird, or insect—can shift your relationship with your neighborhood from “nature is out there” to “nature is here.” That’s a connection to species, and it often sparks a connection to purpose through community science and stewardship. I’ll also share how ordinary people are documenting urban biodiversity with their phones, and why those observations can inform real conservation decisions, including the discovery of species in places where they were previously unknown to exist.

Don’t miss this Think & Drink lecture with guest speaker Dr. Nadina Galle. It’s free to attend and open to all ESU members and the public, but registration is required. These Think & Drink lecture programs often reach capacity, so we encourage ESU members to register now. You will also receive at least one reminder email about the event when you register.

When: Thursday, April 2, 2026, 6:00 pm

Location: Casual Animal Brewing, 1721-1725 McGee Street Kansas City, MO

Tickets: Admission is free but registration is required.

About Nadina Galle

Dr. Nadina Galle is a Dutch-Canadian ecological engineer, National Geographic Explorer, and bestselling author of The Nature of Our Cities. She is the founder of the Internet of Nature®—a global movement exploring how technology can help people reconnect with nearby nature and build healthier, more resilient communities. Her work sits at the intersection of ecology, cities, and innovation, and has been featured by Bloomberg, NPR, CNBC, and the New York Post. Through her podcast, field projects, and storytelling, Nadina brings audiences into the future of urban life—where the wild still has a place, even in the most built-up spaces.

About Think & Drink Lecture Series: Think & Drink is an exciting new kind of event that combines educational topics with social gatherings. This one-hour lecture program was launched in July of 2025 by Casual Animal Brewing Company, a microbrewery in the East Crossroads area, south of downtown Kansas City. The lectures are held on the first and third Thursday of every month and bring together experts, academics, and curious minds for evening talks on topics that generate fresh perspectives, ideas, and discussion. No topic is off the table