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In Meridian Township, taking nature’s pulse with sound

Dr. Stuart Gage photo
Kevin Lavery
/
WKAR
Michigan State University professor emeritus Dr. Stuart Gage monitors one of his acoustic sensors in Meridian Township. Gage is coordinating an international conference on ecoacoustics this week at MSU.

A retired Michigan State University professor takes us into the woods to listen to what nature has to say. He’s organizing an international conference at MSU this week on ecoacoustics. Current State’s Kevin Lavery has a report.

How many times has it been said, “There’s a difference between hearing and listening?" Sound is a virtually inescapable part of the world around us.  Just as a doctor listens to a heartbeat to study a person’s health, the sound of our physical environment can give some clues about its status. That’s the science of ecoacoustics.

An international conference starting today at Michigan State University focuses on this particular research.

Current State’s Kevin Lavery speaks with Dr. Stuart Gage, a Michigan State University professor emeritus.

Kevin Lavery served as a general assignment reporter and occasional local host for Morning Edition and All Things Considered before retiring in 2023.
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