Boston Flora

Tag: Harvard University

  • Thursday, October 21, 6:00 pm – Corresponding Naturalists: Asa Gray, Charles Darwin, and the Making of American Botany

    Asa Gray’s extensive correspondence with naturalists shaped the early years of exploration and botanical research in North America. These letters brought Gray into contact with Charles Darwin, who became a close friend. With the publication of Darwin’s On the Origin of Species, Gray soon emerged as the key proponent and defender of natural selection in the U.S.  On Thursday, October 21, beginning at 6 pm, Janet Browne, Aramont Professor of the History of Science at Harvard, will discuss their letters , which reflect a warm personal relationship as well as the making of an intellectual revolution. Free and open to the public, Geological Lecture Hall, 24 Oxford Street. Part of the Asa Gray Bicentennial series.  For more information, log on to www.hmnh.harvard.edu.

  • Tuesday, October 12, 6:00 pm – Honeybee Democracy

    As they face the life-or-death problem of choosing and traveling to a new home every year, honeybees employ a complex decision-making process that includes fact finding, vigorous debate, and consensus building. Thomas Seeley, world-renowned animal behaviorist and Professor of Biology at Cornell, will explore what these incredible insects can teach us about collective wisdom and democracy on Tuesday, October 12, beginning at 6 pm. Free and open to the public. The venue will be the Geological Lecture Hall, 24 Oxford Street. Cosponsored with the Cambridge Entomological Club. For more information, log on to www.hmnh.harvard.edu.

  • Saturday, October 2, 4:00 pm – Spider Silk: Evolution and 400 Million Years of Spinning, Waiting, Snagging and Mating

    On Saturday, October 2 at 4 pm authors Leslie Brunetta and Catherine L. Craig will speak at the Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford Street in Cambridge, giving a lecture and book signing of their recently released book Spider Silk: Evolution and 400 Million Years of Spinning, Waiting, Snagging and Mating. Spider webs didn’t just suddenly appear, they evolved step by step over hundreds of millions of years. Join science writer Leslie Brunetta and Catherine L. Craig, evolutionary biologist and research associate at Harvard’s Museum of Comparative Zoology, to learn about the many different ways spiders use silk and why they can help us understand how evolution really works. Whether you’re a gardener, Charlotte’s Web or Spider-Man fan, or an amateur arachnologist of any age–you’ll find much to appreciate in the amazing story of spider silk. Free with museum admission.  For more information log on to www.hmnh.harvard.edu.

  • Saturday, September 25, 10:00 am – Arnold Arboretum Fall Plant Giveaway

    The Fall Plant Giveaway celebrates the Arnold Arboretum’s longstanding tradition of sharing and promoting woody plants for temperate climates.  In addition to making plant material available to researchers and other botanical institutions, the arboretum has distributed plants to members of the Friends of the Arnold Arboretum in recognition of their support.  This year’s event gives members the opportunity to receive free Arboretum-grown plants as a part of their membership benefits, gain first-hand expert knowledge from the staff, and enjoy the beauty of the landscape in autumn.  The event will be held at 10 am on Saturday, September 25 on the Arboretum grounds.  If you are not a member, you may join or renew your membership at the Plant Giveaway to attend and receive the free plant benefit that day.  This is a rain or shine event.  Questions?  Contact Wendy Krauss at 617-384-5766 or email membership@arnarb.harvard.edu.

  • Wednesday, September 29, 6:00 pm – Persuasion in a Climate of Uncertainty

    Come to the Harvard Museum of Natural History on Wednesday, September 29 at 6 pm to hear a panel discussion entitled Persuasion in a Climate of Uncertainty. Climate change, stem-cell research, and environmental toxins are some of the most hotly contested issues society today. Yet we often see a disconnect among scientists, policy makers, and the public when the evidence is enough to persuade experts, but is unconvincing to others. How can we foster productive discussion and resolution of critical issues when scientific knowledge is not complete? How much evidence is “enough” to support policy? What are the roles of scientists and the press in addressing these questions?

    Explore this topic with: Sheila Jasanoff, Pforzheimer Professor of Science and Technology Studies at the Harvard Kennedy School; James J. McCarthy, Alexander Agassiz Professor of Biological Oceanography at Harvard University and past president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science; and Bruce Gellerman, award-winning reporter and producer, Public Radio’s Living on Earth. Moderated by Allan Brandt, Kass Professor of the History of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Free and open to the public, Geological Lecture Hall, 24 Oxford Street. For more information, log on to www.hmnh.harvard.edu.

  • Saturday, October 9, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm – Designing Gardens with Flora of the American East

    For gardeners of all levels, this program, taking place Saturday, October 9 from 9:30 am – 3:30 pm in the Hunnewell Building of the Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain, provides a comprehensive foundation for garden design using regionally native plants.  Carolyn Summers will present topics including wildlife benefits, sustainable design and maintenance, and strategies for “safe sex in the garden” to reduce the spread of non-native invasive plants.  Participants will learn how to apply basic ecological and design principles in all their gardening endeavors.

    Carolyn Summers is the author of the recently published Designing Gardens with the Flora of the American East and is an adjunct professor for continuing education at Westchester Community College.  She provides technical assistance to the Native Plant Center, an affiliate of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.  Please bring your own lunch.  A book sale and author signing will follow the class.  This program is offered by the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, the New England Wild Flower Society, and the Wellesley College Friends of Horticulture.  $60 for members of one of the affiliated sponsors, or $70 for non-members.  You may register at www.wellesley.edu/WCFH.

  • Friday and Saturday, September 18 & 19, 12:00 noon – 5:00 pm – Deepening Roots

    The Deepening Roots two-day workshop is a fun and comprehensive educational program that introduces the general public to healthy nutrition, sustainable agriculture and community. People of all backgrounds and experience levels will benefit from the dynamic and innovative nature of this program.

    High energy foods…
    In this portion of the workshop, you will learn to prepare tasty foods that will boost your energy, strengthen your immune system and give you complete nutrition. With handy food preparation tips, simple recipes and informative discussions we will demystify how to eat well and bust the hype of fad diets.

    Growing your own food…
    …even if you don’t have a garden! There is no better way to access fresh foods than to grow them yourself. From kitchen gardens to herb spirals, from balcony grown tomatoes to backyard forest gardens, we will teach all the basic principles you need to start growing fresh, high energy foods. No green thumb required!

    Building healthy communities
    Imagine a community where people are happy, connected and supportive of one another. A community with clean air, abundant food and green space to explore. A community that is exciting, dynamic and peaceful. Every community is built on individuals. By exploring innovative breathing and meditation practices will you will learn how we can all be the building blocks for such vibrant communities.

    The participation fee for the two day workshop September 18 and 19, 12 – 5 each day, is $95 ($75 with student ID), and will take place at the Hilles Building at Harvard University.  The building is in the Radcliffe quad, walking distance from Harvard Square.  For more information, or to register, log on to www.deepeningroots.org, or email Andrew Korza at andrew@deepeningroots.org.

  • Thursday, August 4, 4:00 pm – The Role of the Landscape Architect

    On Thursday, August 4, beginning at 4 pm, come hear Stephen Stimson of Stephen Stimson Associates speak at Highfield Hall, 56 Highfield Drive in Falmouth on The Role of the Landscape Architect and Ten Landcapes. Since founding his firm in 1992, Stephen has won over 30 national and regional awards for design excellence.  He has a degree in Environmental Design from University of  Massachusetts, a Masters Degree from Harvard’s Graduate School of Design, and has been elected a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects.  His work ranges from a 300 acre park in San Antonio, Texas and a park at the St. Louis Arch, to numerous private gardens in the northeast.  Stephen focuses on creation of culturally and environmentally responsive modern designs.  His book, Ten Landscapes, is a classic in his field.  $5 suggested donation.  For information, log on to www.highfieldhall.org.

    http://www.bslaweb.org/webart/AwardWinners2008/01-TurkeyHillFarm_L%20crop%20lead.jpg

  • Thursday, July 8, 4:00 pm – Beatrix Farrand, Private Gardens, Public Landscapes

    Judith Tankard continues her book tour with a stop at Berkshire Botanical Garden, 5 West Stockbridge Road in West Stockbridge,  on Thursday, July 8 at 4 pm. Beatrix Farrand (below) was one of the foremost landscape architects of the early 1900s and one of the earliest women to take up the profession. She studied privately under the renowned horticulturist Charles Sprague Sargent and learned about garden design through extensive travel abroad. Many of her clients were members of high society, with estates in Newport, the Berkshires, and Maine. Learn about this remarkable woman and her lasting influence on the field of landscape design.  $20.  To register, log on to www.berkshirebotanical.org, or call 413-298-3926.

    Judith B. Tankard is an art historian specializing in landscape history. She is the author of seven books and has taught for over twenty years at the Landscape Institute of the Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University.

    http://www.ced.berkeley.edu/cedarchives/images/farrand2.jpg

  • Tuesday, June 15, 11:30 am – 2:00 pm – Charles River Conservancy’s 10th Anniversary Event

    Celebrate the Power of the Parklands at the Charles River Conservancy’s 10th Anniversary event on Tuesday, June 15, beginning with a reception at 11:30 am, followed by a luncheon at 12:30 pm, at the Washburn Riverfront Pavilion at the Museum of Science in Boston.  This year the Conservancy will honor Henry Lee, Founder of the Friends of the Public Garden, and Conservancy supporters Carolyn and Peter Lynch.  Guest speakers include Tom Ashbrook, host of National Public Radio’s “On Point,” and Fred Salvucci, former Secretary of Transportation.  The Conservancy gratefully thanks its principal supporters InterSystems, Fidelity Investments, and Bank of America, for their help with this event, as well as Equity Office, Harvard University, Polaris Public Relations and Novartis.  For tickets ($150 per person) and sponsorship information ($500 and above), call 617-608-1410, or email crc@thecharles.org.  You may also find details on the Charles River Conservancy’s website, www.thecharles.org.  Photo by Tom Christiansen.

    http://www.neurochrome.com/iblog/Boston/Harvard-2.jpg