Fall Lecture Series at Essex Meadows

Come to Essex on Thursday for the third lecture in the series! October 29, 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 15, 2015, 4:30 pm

Life Cycle on the Connecticut River Estuary: Autumn’s Glorious Beauty

We are all Conservationists: from Birders to Boaters. Alex Brash, president of the Connecticut Audubon Society, will discuss how our Regional Estuary Center will advocate for and contribute to the conservation of the Connecticut River Estuary and its bird life.

Understanding Threatening Undercurrents. Dr. Johan Varekamp, Harold T. Stearns Professor of Earth Science, Wesleyan University, will discuss the threats to the Connecticut estuary and possible solutions to these threats.

Role of the Estuary Field Station. Rob Hernandez, Roger Tory Peterson protégé and senior editor, National Geographic magazine, will illustrate how the proposed Estuary Center will deal with the threatening undercurrents.

Reception to follow.

Thursday, October 22, 2015, 4:30 pm
The Power of Successful Advocacy: Conserving the Connecticut River Estuary

Making Conservation Happen: Connecticut River Successes. Kimberly Lutz, director of The Nature Conservancy’s Connecticut River Program, will discuss her organization’s work to improve large dams to revive healthy flows and restore floodplain forests that act as sponges along the river.

Ospreys: Connecticut and Beyond – a Global Species Comes of Age. Alan F. Poole, author of Ospreys: A Natural and Unnatural History, will discuss the successful restoration of the Osprey population, a species that has become a major symbol of international bird conservation.

Fall on the Estuary: Celebrating Ecology. Eleanor Robinson, co-chair, Roger Tory Peterson ® Estuary Center Regional Board and Osprey researcher, will discuss the glorious fall flora, marsh ecology and migrating birds.

Reception to follow.

Thursday, October 29, 2015, 4:30 pm
Roger Tory Peterson, Inspiring Tomorrow’s Stewards: His Legacy Lives On

The Next Generation. Michelle Eckman, education director for the Connecticut Audubon Society, and Dr. Terry Contant, science curriculum specialist for LEARN, will discuss how the Science in Nature programs inspire tomorrow’s stewards, while meeting the evolving core curriculum requirements.

Roger Tory Peterson: Inspirational Teaching. Elizabeth Rosenthal, author of Birdwatcher, The Life of Roger Tory Peterson, will discuss his inspirational teaching techniques. Peterson’s education outreach to young students includes the genesis of his landmark series of field guides.

Fulfilling the Legacy. Claudia Weicker, co-chair of the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center, will discuss how his legacy as a naturalist, teacher and artist can be carried forward here on the Connecticut River estuary.

Reception to follow.

The lectures are free but seating is limited. Please RSVP to Allison Bryant, abryant@ctaudubon.org or 203 259-0416 x106.