CT River Lecture Series Spring 2024 Descriptions
Rex Brasher: Prolific but Overshadowed and Unknown: Janine Caira, Ph.D.
April 18, 2024; 4:00 p.m.
Essex Meadows
Artists and naturalists have been painting birds for centuries. We know John James Audubon, Fuertes, Peterson and, of course of our current time, Sibley. But who knows Rex Brasher?
Brasher resided in Kent, Connecticut and, unlike Audubon, painted birds from life and was greatly influenced by his friend and mentor, Louis Agassiz Fuertes. His work, created in the period largely between Fuertes and Peterson, was purchased by UCONN decades ago and lacks a proper gallery or access to the collection.
Dr. Janine Caira, University of Connecticut Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology is also Director of the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History where she oversees the 800 Rex Brasher paintings. She will relate more about Brasher’s life and work and will share the Museum’s plans for conserving and exhibiting his original paintings, several of which will be displayed at the lecture.
Resilient Connecticut: Protecting Our Coastal Communities: John Truscinski
May 9, 2024; 5:00 p.m.
Old Lyme Town Hall
One hundred year and five hundred year weather-related events are coming with more frequency and, as we see the catastrophic damage of storms across the country, we are reminded of our own vulnerability. Our coastal communities and diverse ecosystems that support, not just our wildlife, but our local economies and way of life remain at risk of the next superstorm. In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Connecticut took steps to work with communities to assess risk and create adaptation plans to mitigate the effects of future events.
The Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) is located at the University of Connecticut. Our speaker, John Truscinski, is the Director of Resilience Planning and manages the Resilience Connecticut Project. His presentation will focus on the risks to our coasts and what steps CIRCA takes to work with local communities.
Exploring the Connecticut River: Patrick J. Lynch
May 16, 2024; 5:00 P.M.
Lyme Art Association
Whether you are planning a summer or fall expedition to explore the northern reaches of the Connecticut River or you just want to learn more from the comfort of home, Patrick Lynch’s latest book: A Field Guide to the Connecticut River: From New Hampshire to Long Island Sound is the book for you. Building off the success of his Field Guide to Long Island Sound this latest offering from author, illustrator, photographer, and naturalist, arrives in bookstores in April. Patrick is joining us to relate more about this river we call our own and what we will find along its long journey to the Sound. The Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center is delighted to present this Connecticut resident and former member of the Board of the Connecticut Audubon Society. Join us and celebrate his new book.
