The Berkshire Botanical Garden invites you to its Holiday Marketplace on Saturday, December 6 (10 – 5) and Sunday, December 7 (10 – 4). This is a perfect time to buy garden themed gifts and stocking stuffers, while enjoying the beautifully decorated grounds. For directions, visit www.berkshirebotanical.org.
EcoLogic Development Fund, based in Cambridge and Guatemala, has worked to empower rural communities to protect and restore tropical ecosystems in Mexico and Central America since 1993. EcoLogic believes that what makes conservation stick is skilled local leadership and enduring community-level commitment. On Thursday, December 4, Anne Elise Stratton, a Tufts senior, will present her summer research in a lowland Caribbean Guatemala protected area. She’ll explain challenges farmers face with climate change, corn production, and agroforestry as well as her insights and anecdotes from fieldwork. Devyn Powell, Tufts class of 2014, joined EcoLogic’s staff before graduating last spring. She will add to Anne Elise’s presentation by leading lunch participants in a conversation about career paths, sustainability and climate, and EcoLogic’s special role and theory of change applied across the region – especially how a small NGO tackles deforestation and landscape restoration beyond protected areas alone.
Anne Elise Stratton worked as a field intern for EcoLogic this summer in the Sarstún region of Guatemala, where she is also pursuing research about seed selection and exchange in the area. She is currently a rising senior at Tufts, where she is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Biology and Environmental Studies with a focus on food systems. Devyn Powell, EcoLogic Development Fund Communications Officer. Devyn is responsible for the development and implementation of EcoLogic’s communications strategy. Prior to joining EcoLogic, Devyn helped coordinate online communications, website management, and graphic design for the Tufts Institute of the Environment. She spent time in Ancash, Peru, where she conducted field research exploring climate change adaptation strategies for rural farming communities, and has also lived in Costa Rica. Devyn was raised in Portland, Oregon, and earned a BA in International Relations and Environmental Studies from Tufts (Class of 2014). She is proficient in Spanish and knows some Portuguese and Japanese.
Lunch & Learn lectures take place every Thursday from 12:00-1:00pm at the Lincoln Filene Center, Rabb Room on the Medford Campus during the academic year. The Tufts Institute of the Environment generously sponsors lunch. If you are interested in participating in the Lunch & Learn program as a guest lecturer/participant, contact environmentalstudies@tufts.edu.
You can’t make it to the talk? No problem! Watch it live here from your computer or smart phone.
Mayor Martin J. Walsh, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, and The Friends of Copley Square will celebrate the holidays with the annual Copley Square Tree Lighting on Tuesday, December 2, from 5:00pm to 6:00pm.
The free event will feature appearances by Mayor Walsh, WHDH-TV’s Janet Wu, Santa Claus, and Rudolph along with live entertainment including members of the Boston Pops Brass Ensemble, the Trinity Church Choristers, vocalist Sheree Dunwell, and a holiday sing-along.
The Old South Church bell will toll when the tree is illuminated. Light refreshments will be provided by local businesses and the Fairmont Copley Plaza will host a family reception immediately following for all in attendance.
The reception will include cookie decorating, photos with Santa and treats from Georgetown Cupcake, Pain d’Avignon, and the Fairmont Copley Plaza.
In addition, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Copley Square will become a spot for family revelry with jugglers, stilt walkers, and festive music provided by Magic 106.7, Boston’s holiday music station.
Even more festivities will take place in and around Copley Square on December 2. The Boston Public Library and The Catered Affair will host a Storytime and Candy Cane Tea at The Fairmont Copley Plaza from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The tea is free but reservations are required by calling (617) 859-2282.
For additional information please call the Boston Parks and Recreation Department at (617) 635-4505. To learn more about The Friends of Copley Square, please visit www.friendsofcopleysquare.org.
