Boston Flora

Tag: Tufts University

  • Wednesday, February 28, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – How Forests Will Define the Future of Our Climate

    Join The Kestrel Land Trust  and the Smith College Center for Environment, Ecological Design and Sustainability in the Weinstein Auditorium in Wright Hall at Smith College in Northampton for a talk by internationally renowned climate scientist Dr. Bill Moomaw: Forests, the Critical Component for Addressing Long-Term Climate Change.

    Human civilization evolved in a global climate that enabled us to thrive over the past 10,000 years. Unfortunately, this relatively benign climate is being dramatically disrupted because of human activities. Science tells us that to slow or reverse this trend, it’s essential that we quickly reduce heat-trapping gas emissions, and begin removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. What role do forests play in all of this?

    On Wednesday, February 28 at 7 p.m.,  Dr. Bill Moomaw, Professor Emeritus of International Environmental Policy at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, will conduct the  discussion of how our forests can help mitigate global climate change. Dr. Moomaw will present his perspective on a crucial part of the solution — how the protection and restoration of forests, wetlands, and grasslands could enable us to sequester carbon dioxide for many centuries to come. He will also share his insights on the drawbacks of using bioenergy as an alternative to fossil fuels. There will be time for a facilitated Q&A session after the presentation. Free and open to the public, but registration is strongly encouraged at https://www.kestreltrust.org/calendar/bill-moomaw-2018/

  • Tuesday, February 13, 7:30 pm – Firefly Biology

    This month’s Cambridge Entomological Club meeting will be held Tuesday, February 13th, at 7:30 pm in room 101 of the Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology, Oxford Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

    Dr. Sara Lewis of Tufts University will present an illuminating talk on firefly biology. With over 2,000 species worldwide, the firefly beetles (family Lampyridae) boast remarkable diversity in life history and signalling modes. Their bioluminescent courtship is based on highly visible signals that are readily quantified and simulated, providing an attractive system for dissecting the key evolutionary process of sexual selection.

    Studies of North American Photinus fireflies over the past decades have revealed that male mating success is determined primarily by female preference for conspicuous male flash traits. Yet sexual selection continues even beyond mating. During copulation, males transfer complex spermatophores that they manufacture within multiple reproductive accessory glands. Such nuptial gifts are widespread across the animal kingdom, though we are just beginning to unravel the biochemical composition and evolutionary trajectories of these cryptic sexually selected traits.

    Meanwhile, these charismatic insects seem to be declining in many parts of the world. Among the major culprits are habitat loss, light pollution, overharvesting, and ecotourism. Here in the Anthropocene, bioluminescent talents can be hazardous to your health! Come hear little-known stories about how, for more than a century and continuing to the present day, fireflies have been exploited for their chemistry, beauty, and romance.

    Fireflies are intricately woven into the fabric of human cultures, and their loss would be widely mourned. From a scientific perspective, we remain in the dark about many features of firefly biochemistry, behavior and evolution. In hopes of inspiring further inquiry, this talk will conclude by highlighting some fascinating, outstanding questions in firefly biology.

    The talk is free and open to the public. The meeting is readily accessible via public transportation. Parking is available in the Oxford Street Garage with advance arrangement, or (usually but not always) at spaces on nearby streets. Everyone is also welcome to join us for dinner before the talk (beginning at 5:45 PM) at the Cambridge Common, 1667 Mass Ave., Cambridge.

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  • Wednesday, September 20, 7:30 pm – A Closer Look at GMOs

    In the spirit of inspiring and facilitating conversation in a time where it is crucial that we stay informed about the world around us, the staff of Wright-Locke Farm invites you to their 2017 Speaker Series. Join them monthly in the beautiful 1827 Barn in Winchester for an evening of discovery and discussion. The Speaker Series is free and open to the public. They kindly ask you to RSVP by emailing kkneeland@wlfarm.org so they can save you a seat.

    Each presentation will begin at 7:30PM and allow for a follow-up Q & A session. On Wednesday, September 20, Timothy Griffin, Ph.D. and director of the Agriculture, Food and and Environment program and associate professor at Tufts’ Friedman School, will present on the most up to date information about Genetically Modified Organisms, and products that are already, or soon to be on the market.

  • Through December, 2017 (Artist’s Reception June 14, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm) – Franklin Park: An Ephemeral and Enduring Landscape

    For over thirty-five years Robin Radin has photographed both the cultural and natural landscape of her neighborhood in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. Her work draws inspiration from the vibrant, diverse street life and from the brilliance in the landscapes of Franklin Park, Jamaica Pond, Arnold Arboretum, and the Emerald Necklace parklands.

    She says: “With my landscape work, I seek to elicit the beauty in settings that might otherwise seem ordinary. In particular, my photographs aim to reveal how urban wilds and parklands can unexpectedly evoke a human presence. Over the last few years, I have frequently wandered the woodlands of Franklin Park with my camera and tripod. My visits to the park are charged with the spirit of discovery and adventure. The landscape has the power to heighten my awareness, simultaneously allowing me to reach deep within myself and also to project outward my inner feeling into the captured image. These photographs are my paean to the quiet grace that emanates from these treasured places.”

    Robin Radin is a Boston-based photographer whose career as an exhibiting artist and educator has spanned over thirty-five years. She received her B.F.A. from Tufts University and the Boston Museum School of Fine Arts in 1983, and her M.F.A. from Massachusetts College of Art in 1992. Her photographs have been exhibited and published nationally. Radin’s work has been presented in over fifty venues —The Danforth Museum of Art, The Institute of Contemporary Art, The Cambridge Art Association, Bunker Hill Community College, The Photographic Resource Center, The Aidekman Art Center at Tufts University, to name a few.

    In 2010, in collaboration with writer Lynne Anderson, her photographs were included in the book Breaking Bread: Recipes and Stories From Immigrant Kitchens, published by the University of California Press. Radin’s work has been reproduced in numerous exhibition catalogues. She exhibits annually in Jamaica Plain Open Studios and serves on the board of The Jamaica Plain Arts Council. Radin is a 2003 recipient of the Massachusetts Cultural Council Artist Grant in Photography.

    There will be an exhibition of the artist’s work at the Shattuck Visitor Center of the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, 125 The Fenway, through December, 2017, with a reception on Wednesday, June 14, from 6 – 8. Exhibit Hours: Sat and Sun | 11am–4pm. Weekdays: 9am –5pm (For weekday visits, call ahead (617-522-2700) as gallery is a multipurpose room and may be closed for meetings)

  • Monday, June 13, 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm – Silent Sparks: The Wondrous World of Fireflies

    For centuries, the beauty of fireflies has evoked wonder and delight. Yet for most of us, fireflies remain shrouded in mystery: How do fireflies make their light? What are they saying with their flashing? And what do fireflies look for in a mate?

    Join Sara M. Lewis, PhD, of the Evolutionary and Behavioral Ecology Department of Tufts University on Monday, June 13 at 7 pm at the Arnold Arboretum for a presentation as she dives into the fascinating world of fireflies and reveals the most up-to-date discoveries about these beloved insects. Hear dramatic stories of birth, courtship, romance, sex, deceit, poison, and death among fireflies.

    Following the lecture, look for fireflies at the edge of the Arboretum’s wet meadow. Sarah’s recently published book, Silent Sparks, will be available for sale and signing. $5 for Arboretum members, $10 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.arboretum.harvard.edu.

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  • Saturday, July 11 & Sunday, July 12, 10:00 am – 5:30 pm – Butterfly and Caterpillar Weekend

    On Saturday and Sunday, July 11 and 12, meet an amazing array of native New England caterpillars in various stages of development, and learn more about caterpillars and butterflies through live presentations and interpretations throughout the Museum of Science.

    On Saturday and Sunday from 10 – 3 there will be a Caterpillar Lab. This one-of-a-kind experience is a celebration of the impressive diversity of New England caterpillars. Each individual display includes a variety of caterpillars, in various stages of development and on their local host plants. With no glass between you and the displays, you can experience caterpillars up close — eating, pooping, camouflaging, or defending themselves with clever adaptations such as warning coloration, inflatable horns, strange smells, and squeaking mandibles.

    From 1 – 3 on both days you may Create Your Own Butterfly Habitat. With your paid admission to the Butterfly Garden, learn how to create and plant your own butterfly habitat. We’ll discuss the importance of using native plantings and how to get your garden started. Get your hands dirty planting native seeds and take them home to help start attracting butterflies!

    On Saturday at 11:30 hear Dr. Gerard Talavera from Harvard University describe the amazing migration of the Painted Lady butterflies, Vanessa cardui. Learn more about the challenging task of studying this beautiful insect, which is found on five continents. Also on Saturday, at 12:30, Dr. Naomi Pierce, curator of Lepidoptera at Harvard University, will introduce you to the insect-eating predators and their nourishing ant prey. Dave Champlin from the University of Maine unravels the amazing transformation of how the butterfly gets its wings on Sunday at 11:30, and finally, on Sunday at 12:30, Norah Warchola from Tufts University discusses the fascinating relationship between an endangered species of caterpillar and the ants that protect it from predators in exchange for a sugary bribe.

    Also on Saturday and Sunday there will be presentations on Gardening for Butterflies at 1:30 in the Shapiro Family Science Live! Stage, Green Wing, Lower Level. As a bonus, The Secret Lives of Fireflies will be featured both days at 3:30 pm. Watching fireflies is a special part of warm summer nights in New England. We watch and we enjoy, but do we really know what they are saying? This program sheds a little light on the secret lives of fireflies. You’ll also learn how you can participate in a scientific research effort to find out if these magical insects are disappearing from our landscape, and if so, why and what can be done about it. Solitary Bees: The Other Bees will be discussed at 5:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Honey bees are in decline. Since they are responsible for pollinating one third of our food crops, their disappearance threatens our food supply. While scientists try to find out why and how to reverse this trend, our crops still need to be pollinated. Find out how you can help by becoming a “solitary beekeeper.”

    While you are at the Museum, don’t miss Flight of the Butterflies at the Mugar Omni Theater each day at 1 pm. Weighing less than a penny, the monarch butterfly makes one of the longest migrations on Earth. Follow this perilous journey and join hundreds of millions of real butterflies in the remote mountain peaks of Mexico, with breathtaking cinematography from an award-winning team. Be captivated by the true, compelling story of an intrepid scientist’s 40-year search to find the monarchs’ secret hideaway. Purchase of separate timed ticket required for Omni film. You may buy these tickets on line at www.mos.org.

  • Tuesday, May 5, 6:00 pm – Arts and Crafts Architecture: History and Heritage in New England

    Anyone who has spent time in New England will recognize the century-old buildings that Maureen Meister will discuss in a slide lecture on Tuesday, May 5 at The Gibson House Museum, 137 Beacon Street, that draws upon her new book, Arts and Crafts Architecture: History and Heritage in New England (University Press of New England). Focusing on the 1890s through the 1920s, she will explain how a group of Boston architects and craftsmen were influenced by English Arts and Crafts theories to produce works that are now landmarks, admired for their exquisite ornament. At the same time, the buildings reflect a rich intellectual culture that flourished in New England one hundred years ago. A reception begins at 6, with the lecture at 7. For more information email info@thegibsonhouse.org.
    Maureen Meister is an art historian who writes about American art and architecture of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. She is the author of Architecture and the Arts and Crafts Movement in Boston: Harvard’s H. Langford Warren, 2003, and was volume editor of H. H. Richardson: The Architect, His Peers, and Their Era, 1999. She holds a doctorate from Brown University and an A.B. from Mount Holyoke College. Since 1998, she has taught at Tufts University.

  • Thursday, December 4, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm – “Jwal sulul li’be!”: Exploring the Muddy Path of Conservation and Development in Central America

    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.

  • Thursday, November 20, 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm – Volunteerism on the Mystic River

    The Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) began in 1972 as a grassroots environmental organization and continues to rely upon grassroots support and volunteerism to accomplish its many projects and programs today. On Thursday, November 20, come learn about the work of the association and how MyRWA engages the 22 community watershed through volunteerism and citizen science.

    Beth MacBlane is the Outreach and Communications Director at the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA). In this role Beth manages MyRWA outreach events and the association’s electronic and print communications, including social media. She received her B.A. in environmental studies and anthropology at Tufts University, where she volunteered with MA Community Water Watch as the education coordinator. She received her M.S. in environmental studies with a concentration in environmental education at Antioch University New England. Her professional experience comprises various educational and community organizing endeavors including four years of work with the National Park Service as an interpretive park ranger.

    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.

  • Saturday, September 27, 10:00 am – 11:30 am – Cooking with Cranberries

    The Massachusetts Horticultural Society in conjunction with the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) at Tufts University are pleased to announce they will be hosting the next Talk and Taste public lecture on the theme of Cooking with Cranberries on Saturday, September 27th from 10 -11:30 am at the Mass Hort property at Elm Bank, 900 Washington Street in Wellesley, MA. Featured speakers include: Blue Ginger’s Pastry Chef – Michele Fadden; Dr. Diane McKay, nutrition scientist at the Tufts HNRCA; and David Fiske, Horticultural Director, Massachusetts Horticultural Society for a three–part lecture on cooking, nutrition and gardening.

    After the lecture there will be time for sampling, Q&A and a tour of the Garden to Table garden.  Fee: $15 Mass Hort members; $18 non-members.  Visit http://www.masshort.org/eventdetail/36/422|427|430|433/talk-and-taste-cooking-with-cranberries?filter_reset=1 to sign up on line. Photo from www.spoonful.com.