Daily Archives: October 23, 2015

Sunday, November 1, 1:00 pm – At the City’s Green Edge: A Planned Landscape for Turn of the 20th Century Worcester

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Susan McDaniel Ceccacci, author of the newly released book Living At the City’s Green Edge: Bancroft Heights, A Planned Neighborhood in Worcester, Massachusetts, discusses landscape planning and garden features found in Stephen Salisbury III’s comfortable residential subdivision. Al Southwick’s review of the book noted: “This is a remarkable book. I know of nothing like it. It stems from a local group’s decision to commemorate its neighborhood’s history and significance. The result is an outstanding chronical of an important slice of Worcester history. It will be referenced and quoted for years to come.” To be followed by a reception and book signing. This Tower Hill Botanic Garden event on Sunday, November 1 at 1 pm is free with admission.

Friday, November 6, 7:30 pm – Horticultural Insights into Plant Conservation and Climate Change

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Climate change is predicted to be a major threat to biodiversity in coming years. It is unclear how plant species will respond to this challenge: if they will be able to tolerate new climatic conditions in their native ranges, or if their dispersal and migration capacities will be sufficient to keep up as their preferred climate zones shift northward.

Native plant horticulture in the eastern U.S. provides a largely untapped trove of data on these pressing questions, as many species have been grown outside their native ranges for decades and, in some cases, have even escaped to colonize new geographic areas. These data are helping to recalibrate ecological models and guide the development of new conservation approaches, including controversial steps like “assisted migration”.

Dr. Jesse Bellemare is an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Smith College. His research focuses on plant ecology, biogeography, and conservation in relation to climate change, as well as ecosystem changes caused by exotic species. He will speak on Friday, November 6 at 7:30 pm in the Campus Center Carroll Room as the Fall Chrysanthemum Show Opening Lecture.

A reception and preview of the Fall Chrysanthemum Show at the Lyman Plant House will follow. For more information visit https://www.smith.edu/garden/Home/events.html The Chrysanthemum Show, featuring ikebana by Smith College Students, runs from Saturday, November 7 – Sunday, November 22, 10 – 4 daily. Friday extended hours 10 – 8. Suggested donation $5.