Since 2011, Deschutes Land Trust’s Nature Nights speaker series have brightened winter by bringing the natural world indoors for audiences.

Nature Nights is presented annually from January through March, kicking off this year on Jan. 29 at the Tower Theatre (835 NW Wall St., Bend) with “Wolves in Central Oregon.” The event is free, but advance registration, open now, is required.

The evening will feature Aaron Bott, a wildlife biology doctoral candidate at Utah State University and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife wolf biologist. Bott’s work with wolves began when he was earning a master’s degree and monitored wolves in Yellowstone National Park’s interior as part of the Yellowstone Wolf Project, according to the Land Trust. Bott will present on wolf biology and ecology, sharing the reintroduced and recovering mammal’s natural history, the way wolves adapt and the role they play in the natural world.

On Feb. 24, Nature Nights will continue with Yvonne Babb discussing “Gardening for a Home Wildlife Haven.” Babb, a graduate of Oregon State University Extension’s master gardener program and owner of Your Garden Companion, a sustainable gardening venture, will discuss the most beneficial plants for helping wildlife right in your yard, regardless of its size.

Finally, on March 12, Anya Tyson will join the Land Trust to discuss “Sailing the Sagebrush Sea,” all about the magic and majesty of the vast sagebrush desert east of Central Oregon, home to a variety of plants, animals and cultures. Tyson will also discuss the opportunities and challenges that will shape the region’s future.

“The Deschutes Land Trust is pleased to present our 14th annual Winter Nature Night series,” said Sarah Mowry, the Land Trust’s community engagement director. “This year’s slate of expert presenters will illuminate a wide variety of topics from wolves to gardening for wildlife to the wonders of the sagebrush desert. We invite you to come in from the cold and dig into these nature-related talks to tide you over until spring arrives.”

There will be an American Sign Language interpreter on hand during the events, and for those who can’t make it to the downtown Bend theater, Nature Nights is also available to live stream. For more information, visit deschuteslandtrust.org.