Boston Flora

Tag: Conservation

  • Sunday, May 4, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Conservation in a Changing World

    Part of the mission of the Arnold Arboretum is stewardship of the earth’s botanical diversity and its essential value to humankind. This May 4 one hour tour through the landscape, led by docent Vicki Amalfitano, will highlight important Arboretum historical conservation efforts that have preserved distinct native and exotic species, and current efforts in our living collections to mitigate habitat disruption and climate impact. Learn about plant expeditions to preserve species in the face of climate change and new pathogens, research initiatives, as well as the Arboretum’s green initiatives and local collaborations to improve our urban canopy.

    Accessibility: This tour covers slightly over 1 mile in distance over terrain of asphalt, crushed granite, and mulch. Please be sure to dress for the weather and wear comfortable, closed toe footwear you don’t mind getting dirty. Tours may be canceled in cases of the following weather conditions: severe wind, snow, ice, thunder or lightning events; temperatures over 90 degrees; and temperatures below 20 degrees. Tours may be canceled due to other weather events at the discretion of Arboretum staff. In the case of cancelation, you will be contacted by Arboretum staff no later than 2 hours before the start of the event. If you have questions about the status of a program, please email or call the Visitor Center between 10:00am and 4:00pm at (617) 384-5209.

    Meet at 2 pm at the Hunnewell Visitor Center. These walks are free but space is limited. Register at https://arboretum.harvard.edu/events/conservation_in_a_changing_world/?occurrence=2025-05-04&time=1746367200

    Fagus sylvatica ‘tortuosa’ 2420-A

  • Thursday, March 23, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Connecting Communities Through Conservation

    As the ethics of the conservation field evolve, it has become increasingly important that we question what we are conserving, how, and for whom. Join Anya Dani, Director of Community Engagement and Inclusive Practice/Lecturer at the UCLA/Getty Interdepartmental Program in the Conservation of Cultural Heritage, as she discusses her efforts to create a decolonial, community-based framework for conservation in both Okinawa, Japan, and California. If our ultimate goal is the preservation of cultural heritage, then a more expansive view of conservation is needed to best serve the needs of diverse communities.

    Speaker Anya Dani is an objects conservator with more than 20 years of experience working in the cultural heritage sector. She is currently the Director of Community Engagement and Inclusive Practice, Lecturer at the UCLA/Getty Interdepartmental Program in the Conservation of Cultural Heritage.

    This March 23 lecture in Calderwood Hall at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum begins at 7 pm. The lecture is the annual George L. Stout Memorial Lecture, held each year in honor of George L. Stout, the Museum’s Director from 1955 – 1970 and a founder of modern art conservation. Free for Museum members, $20 nonmembers, $18 Seniors, $13 Students, Children 7 – 17 free. Register at https://tnew.gardnermuseum.org/30900/30901

  • Friday, May 21, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Ecology and Conservation of Native Pollination Systems

    Join Dr. Robert Gegear, 2018 recipient of the (then) New England Wild Flower Society’s Regional Impact Award, to learn the skills needed to properly assess, conserve, and restore native pollination systems and the biodiversity they support. This Native Plant Trust class at Garden in the Woods in Framingham on May 21 from 1 – 4 provides foundational knowledge for the Community Science workshop and can be taken alone or in tandem with the workshop. $45 for NPT members, $54 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/ecology-and-conservation-native-pollination-systems/

    Morning glory pollen grains.

  • Friday, February 26, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm – Rare Plant Families

    Where have all the flowers gone? Many are in decline, and some more than others. This Native Plant Trust class at Garden in the Woods on February 26 from 10:00 – 1:00 increases participants’ understanding of the most threatened New England plant families. From the orchids to the moonworts, this session assesses status of several plant families of conservation concern. Included is a discussion of actions the Native Plant Trust  and conservationists in the region are conducting to protect the taxa most in need. Michael Piantedosi leads, and the fee is $45 for NPT members, $54 for nonmembers. Cosponsored by the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions. Due to the pandemic, registration is limited, and masks are required. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/rare-plant-families/. 

    Image result for moonwort botanical print

  • Sunday, May 17, 11:00 am – 12:00 noon – Managing Invasives Through Eating – An Online Conservation Diner’s Guide

    Invasive species are a significant threat to global biodiversity, and conservationists are constantly looking for new ways to manage their continued expansion into native ecosystems. While traditional methods to control invasive species have included mechanical and chemical strategies, in recent years there has been a growing movement to see if we can control invasive species by eating them. In this Native Plant Trust webinar on May 17 from 11 – noon, you will learn about the history of eating invasive species and the merits and drawbacks of the strategy. $15 for NPT members, $18 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/managing-invasives-through-eating-conservation-diners-guide/

    Picture from Chattanooga Times Free Press

  • Friday, September 13, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm – Conservation Through Use

    Humans are increasingly disconnected from wild places due to the overuse of land, and the exclusion of human activity from some conservation areas. Join Seed Bank Coordinator Michael Piantedosi on September 13 from 11 – 2 for a talk about ways human interaction with wildlife and wildlands can actually support conservation goals. Co-sponsored by Native Plant Trust and the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions, the group will meet at Garden in the Woods in Framingham. $40 for sponsor members, $48 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/conservation-through-use/

  • Sunday, September 8, 10:30 am – 12:00 noon – “What Can I Do?” – The Evolving Role of Community Science in Conservation

    Community science is the engagement of passionate members of the general public, often with little or no previous training, in the advancement of scientific knowledge and discovery. As environmental threats to our natural world mount, community science has become critical to collecting and analyzing data to help make conservation decisions. Come and learn about the history of community science, how the Native Plant Trust utilizes community science, and the impacts you can have as a community scientist. The talk takes place September 8 beginning at 10:30 and is $23 for NPT members, $27 for nonmembers. Register at www.nativeplanttrust.org.

    Photo by Larry Parnass, The Berkshire Eagle

  • Wednesday, February 21, 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm – New England Plant Conservation in Practice Webinar

    Join the New England Wild Flower Society’s conservation staff on line on Wednesday, February 21 at 3 pm to discuss methods for applied plant conservation in New England. Laney, Michael, and Bill will discuss current management practices, ex-situ conservation, citizen science, volunteer programs, and their work with the rare and endangered flora of New England. $10 for NEWFS members, $13 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.newenglandwild.org/learn/our-programs/live-webinar-new-england-plant-conservation-in-practice

  • Wednesday, August 30, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm – How Are Rare Plants Conserved? NEW DATE

    New England Wild Flower Society continues its webinar series on Wednesday, August 30 at 6:30 with a discussion with Botanical Coordinator Laney Widener on How Are Rare Plants Conserved? (Hint: NEWFS is a major player here.) In this talk, we will study the actions being taken to conserve rare plant species. We’ll begin by discussing New England programs at the state and regional levels, then look at plant conservation organizations throughout the U.S.and abroad. $10 for NEWFS members, $13 for nonmembers. Photo by Steven Ziglar. Register online at http://www.newfs.org/learn/our-programs/live-webinar-how-are-rare-plants-conserved

  • Wednesday, September 14, 7:00 pm – Jaguars & Wildcat Conflicts in Panama

    Wildcat conflicts are more common throughout Panama as nature park boundaries and natural areas are encroached upon more and more by the rural poor. Conservacion Panama Inc has proposed a program to assist rural poor and subsistence farmers manage their livestock better so as to prevent wildcat conflicts and unnecessary “takes” or kills of these animals. This program targets communities that have current conflicts with wildcats and injects a heavy dose of livestock management practices and prevention techniques proven throughout Latin America to prevent these conflicts. Come to the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main Street in Athol on Wednesday, September 14 at 7 pm to learn about how effective the beta program has proven and how they would like to fund a program expansion. There will be artwork and Panamanian hands-crafts for purchase to help fundraising efforts. You can learn more about this program at: http://www.conservacionpanamaca.org/wildcat-conflict.html