Boston Flora

Tag: ecology

  • Wednesday, January 11, 12:00 noon Eastern – Deeper Learning Through Ecology with Sheryl Davies, Online

    Green infrastructure, pollinator gardens, and food gardens are increasingly integrated into PK-12 learning environments. This Ecological Landscape Alliance online session at noon on January 11 will describe how the built environment and natural settings can facilitate deeper learning, an approach to education that not only seeks to achieve traditional academic standards, but also seeks to foster innovation in problem-solving, collaborative work, effective communication, inquiry, and critical thinking. Read more about the webinar and register at www.ecolandscaping.org

  • Wednesday, August 24, 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm – Secrets of the Sargasso Sea: Blooms, Biodiversity, and Ocean Tipping Points

    Jeff Schell, oceanographer and chief scientist with Sea Education Association (SEA), has spent his career teaching, sailing and conducting oceanographic research. In that time, he has set sail on more than 40 SEA Semester cruises and spent over 1,600 days at sea. Much of this time was spent exploring the Sargasso Sea, a mysterious part of the ocean so named for the presence of drifting Sargassum algae that harbors a diverse community of unique organisms.

    Through decades of study, many secrets of the Sargasso Sea have been revealed; however, many questions remain. Jeff will share a few SEA stories from his voyages and highlight recent discoveries made in the Sargasso with the help of students and colleagues. This lecture will take place at Highfield Hall, 56 Highfield Drive in Falmouth, on August 24 at 5:30 pm.

    Register online now or call, 508-495-1878 ext. 2. $10.

  • Saturday, May 18, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Ecology of Mount Tom

    Mount Tom is an iconic traprock ridge nestled between Easthampton and Holyoke. Learn about its distinctive geology, glacial history, and rich plant communities on a hike towards the summit. This hike is cosponsored by the Native Plant Trust and the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions. $38 for members of sponsoring organizations, $46 for nonmembers. Yoni Glogower leads. Register online at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/ecology-mount-tom/

  • Saturday, April 7, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm – Ecology of Spring

    As soils, air, and water temperatures warm, wondrous developments take place in the landscape. In this season of mud, life previously dormant activates, hatches, expands, emerges. On Saturday, April 7 at 11 am, biologist Bryan Connolly will speak about natural developments and interconnections taking place at this time of year in New England and then will lead a walk of discovery through various environments found at the Arnold Arboretum. Dress appropriately for outdoor exploration. Fee $10 Arboretum member, $20 nonmember

    Register at http://my.arboretum.harvard.edu or call 617-384-5277.

    Image result for bryan connolly biologist

  • Thursday, October 20, 6:00 pm – Lessons from the Dodo: Saving Species and Rebuilding Ecosystems in Mauritius

    Conservation pioneer Carl Jones, Chief Scientist, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and Scientific Director, Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, and recipient of the 2016 Indianapolis Prize for his efforts to save species on the brink of extinction, will discuss how his decades of work have directly revitalized multiple endangered animal populations and habitats—most famously, perhaps, the Mauritius kestrel. With only four kestrels left on Earth, Jones’ techniques not only changed the fate of those birds, but also ensured a thriving population, now nearing 400. Jones will offer insights into restoring both individual species and the ecosystems of Mauritius. He will highlight his journey to save the Rodrigues fruit bat, pink pigeon, echo parakeet, and others from disappearing forever and describe his innovative approach to rebuilding the Mauritian habitat using ecological replacements for extinct animals.

    The Thursday, October 20 lecture is presented by The Harvard Museum of Natural History in collaboration with the Indianapolis Prize, and begins at 6 pm. This program is located at the Geological Lecture Hall, 24 Oxford Street. Free parking is available at the 52 Oxford Street Garage. Free and open to the public.

  • Tuesday, January 14, 7:30 pm – A Heads-Up View of Urban Stream Ecology

    The next meeting of the Cambridge Entomological Club will take place Tuesday, January 14, beginning at 7:30 in room 101 of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Oxford Street, Cambridge. Dr Bob Smith will present a talk entitled A Heads-up View of Urban Stream Ecology.

    Human activities in the watershed and direct alterations to the stream channel can alter the habitat and water quality experienced by fauna living in a stream. Thus, studies examining stream communities along an urbanization gradient typically focus on the links between watershed land-use and in-stream conditions. However, stream organisms are not confined to a single stretch of stream throughout their life. Fish have the ability to disperse long distance through the stream network, and flying insects can disperse long distances across the landscape, unconstrained by the stream network.

    Using a combination of field studies and GIS, Dr Smith investigated how dispersal (a regional process) affects patterns of stream biodiversity along a gradient of human influence. His research suggests that human land use across the landscape may impede dispersal and both local (watershed based) and regional (dispersal based) processes are important for controlling community structure in urbanized streams. The mechanisms for how human activities alter regional processes differ between taxa and are related to species life history traits. These findings have important implications for conservation and restoration strategies as well as developing land-use development plans that promote the sustainability of stream ecosystems.

    The meeting is free and open to the public. Snacks will be provided and you are also welcome to join us at 6:00 PM for an informal pre-meeting dinner at the Cambridge Common.

    http://all-geo.org/highlyallochthonous//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/urban_restoration2.jpg

  • Friday, September 30, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Invasive Plants: Identification, Ecology, and Control

    This September 30 class led by Ted Elliman, Vegetation Management Coordinator of the New England Wild Flower Society, provides an introduction to about 40 invasive non-native plants most commonly found in local landscapes. Through the combination of a classroom presentation, access to herbarium specimens, and a walk outside, you will become familiar with identification clues as well as the habits of a number of these plants. You will also discuss management techniques, appropriate for both small- and large-scale landscapes, for many of these species. The Invaders issue of the New England Wild Flower Society’s magazine and the MA Field Guide to Invasives will be available for purchase at a discount. Bring your lunch and a hand lens if you have one. This class takes place at New England Wild Flower Society’s Garden in the Woods, from 10 – 2.  Co-sponsored by the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University and the New England Wild Flower Society, you may register on line at www.my.arboretum.harvard.edu.  $48 for members of the sponsoring organizations, $58 for nonmembers.

  • Saturday, October 3, 10 – 2 – Ecology of a Barrier Beach

    Explore one of the Cape’s largest and most spectacular barrier beach ecosystems, Sandy Neck Beach in Barnstable, with an emphasis on identifying common plants and many species of wildlife that live here. The hike, led by C. Diane Boretos, will take you through heather-covered secondary dunes, along the 4,000 year-old Great Barnstable Marsh, and into a mature maritime forest. As you investigate the fall flora, you’ll look for track and sign of fox, osprey, deer, coyote, and northern diamondback terrapin. This program is sponsored by the New England Wild Flower Society, and is limited to 15 participants.  Cost is $32 for members of NEWFS, $36 for nonmembers.  To register, log on to www.newfs.org, or call 508-877-7639.

    Barrier Beach HDR-Pano by elventear.

  • Saturday & Sunday, July 25 & 26, 12:30 – 1:30 pm – History Underfoot: Walking the Fruitlands Landscape

    The trails at Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, Massachusetts traverse over 210 acres of forest, swamp and meadows plus thousands of years of history. There are many stories to uncover, such as: the location of a long ago beach, why there was a brick factory here, where to spot wildlife and how we know a certain area was used by Native peoples for over 10,000 years.

    Join Fruitlands’ Curator, Mike Volmar, on this series of walks to discover these and other stories through the geology, ecology, wildlife habitat and archaeology of the Fruitlands’ landscape.

    Visitors to our trails should wear appropriate footwear and be able to negotiate surfaces typical of woodland trails. Be aware that poison ivy, mosquitoes, deer flies and ticks may be encountered by people walking the trails, so we highly recommend the use of mosquito and tick repellent.  Members Free, non-members $6 (included with regular free museum admission.  Limited to 10, purchase tickets at Museum Shop.  The tour repeats on  August 8, September 5, October 3, and November 15.  For more information log on to www.fruitlands.org.