Climate Winners or Losers? How Svalbard Reindeer are Responding to the Fastest-Warming Place on Earth
Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 6:45 Social time, 7:00 Program Via ZOOM
The high-Arctic archipelago of Svalbard is warming faster than any other place in the world. While most Arctic species are struggling to cope with rapid warming, Svalbard reindeer appear to be one of the few animals benefiting from a warming tundra…for now. Dr. Samantha Dwinnell will share her research on how climate change is affecting food supply for Svalbard reindeer, providing nuance to the ways in which climate change can impact Arctic wildlife.
Dr. Dwinnell produced a 15-minute film about her research that she will share during the presentation. It is called Reindalen and is currently in film festivals in Nort America, Europe and Asia. Dr. Dwinnell has been involved in wildlife research since 2007, studying an array of species, including mule deer, bighorn sheep, Canada lynx, and songbirds. The main focus of her research is on how human activity influences the connections between large herbivores and their environment. In 2025, she received a PhD in Ecology from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences.
Members will receive a ZOOM invite via email. Non-members who wish to participate should email us at: contact@aauwowatonna.com. You will then be sent the link to join the program.
It’s time to pay our dues!
Dues for the coming year are:
$74 Association + $9 State + $10 Branch = $93 total. Please send a check for $93 to Kay Oberle, 50 18th Place NE, Owatonna, MN 55060. Check payable to AAUW Owatonna Branch. (deadline is June 30, 2025)
For the coming year $84 of your annual dues will be tax deductible.
Membership voting concluded and did NOT pass on AAUW Bylaws Change to open eligibility to remove degree requirements for membership. Thanks to all who took the time to vote. Per the AAUW Election page:
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- The open membership initiative did not pass. Changes to AAUW’s bylaws require 2/3 majority (66.6%) to pass. AAUW members voted 65.1% to approve the measure, just shy of passing.
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Our officers for 2025-2026:
President: Mary Schwanke
Co-Program VPs: Alana Bunkers & Julie Fiske
Membership VP: Mary Overlee Olson
Secretary: Sandi Tobin
Treasurer: Kay Oberle
Co-AAUW Funds: Trudy Severson & Shelly Rockman
Finance: Eileen Newhouse
Visibility: Nancy Vaillancourt
Webmaster: Linda Hoffman
Fundraising (Taste): Mary Cronin & Linda Hoffman
It’s time to pay our dues!
Dues for the coming year are:
$74 Association + $9 State + $10 Branch = $93 total. Please send a check for $93 to Linda Boorman, 1250 Edgewood Place, Owatonna, MN 55060. Check payable to AAUW Owatonna Branch. (deadline is June 30, 2025)
For the coming year $84 of your annual dues will be tax deductible.
Membership voting concluded and did NOT pass on AAUW Bylaws Change to open eligibility to remove degree requirements for membership. Thanks to all who took the time to vote. Per the AAUW Election page:
- The open membership initiative did not pass. Changes to AAUW’s bylaws require 2/3 majority (66.6%) to pass. AAUW members voted 65.1% to approve the measure, just shy of passing.
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The Year Ahead
Note: all programs will start at 7PM with social time starting at 6:30 unless otherwise indicated.
Tuesday, February 10, 2026: Diet to Reduce Cancer Risk Through Modulating the Gut Microbiome
Dr Leena Hilakivi-Clarke, Professor of Food Science and Nutrition and Assistant Director for Faculty Affairs at the Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, will share her research on the role of dietary factors in affecting breast cancer risk and mortality.
Tuesday, March 10, 2026: Woman of the Year
Eileen Newhouse will share information on some of the amazing women featured on Time Magazine covers in 2020 to explore who would have been there over the years if there had been that annual issue in the past, rather than Man of the Year.
Tuesday, April 14, 2026: The Rise, and Fall, and Rise! of Girl’s Basketball
Members of the Faribault Hot Shots Granny Basketball team will present the fascinating history of girl’s high school basketball in the United States.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026: The History Hags
Anne Peterson and Nancy Vaillancourt will show us that history does not need to be boring!
Mark Your Calendar for these upcoming special events:
April 18, 2026: Tri-Branch Luncheon
Yes, Faribault AAUW will be hosting a Tri-Branch Luncheon.
The program will be “Women of Shakespeare.” The presenter will be Cheryl Freund, Faribault AAUW member, who is a retired curriculum director of the Faribault Public Schools. She has her master’s in English literature from the University of Minnesota, as well as a doctorate in education. She taught high school English prior to going into administration work. After her retirement, she taught a class on Shakespeare for the Elder Collegian of Northfield. She plans to do more research on the women of Shakespeare and create a program that is interactive with the audience.
So, we hope Owatonna AAUW members save this date.
We don’t know where it will be yet. We will let you know by January. We also plan to invite both Austin and Hastings members to the event with the hope that one, or both, join the luncheon rotation.
The 97th AAUW of MINNESOTA STATE MEETING
April 24-25, 2026, Brainerd Lakes Area
Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort
“Growing Together: Rooted in Strength”
The Brainerd Lakes Area AAUW branch is excited to welcome you to next spring’s AAUW Minnesota State Meeting at Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort in our beautiful lakes and Northwoods country. Join us Friday afternoon for some fun activities including a tour of an area art gallery, followed by dinner at Ruby’s Restaurant overlooking the lake. In addition to our business meeting on Saturday, several speakers will inspire us in our mission to advocate for women and girls while supporting equity for all.
Look for more information in the months ahead via email and The Pine newsletter. We hope to see many of you from around the state. Arlene Wheaton, President AAUW Brainerd Area Lakes
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