A leading international expert in groundwater research, Dr. Ty Ferré of the University of Arizona, will be a featured speaker at Columbia College on Thursday, Feb. 11, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Dogwood Forum. The presentation, part of an international lecture series on groundwater science sponsored by the Groundwater Science and Educational Foundation, will focus on the latest innovations in modeling groundwater conditions, how these impact public policy decisions and, locally, how these decisions can impact both fire recovery efforts and drought conditions the Mother Lode faces. Dr. Ferré’s talk is geared toward geology, watershed, forestry and natural resources students, as well as professionals and interested members of the public.