3/12 Lecture: Doug Tallamy + Garden Resources Fair
The Nature Lab and the RISD Staff Council Growing Together project are excited to present an afternoon of ecological excitement for members of the RISD community. The day's activities will begin with a talk by renowned entomologist and author, Dr. Doug Tallamy, from 12:00 - 1:00 PM in the Prov-Wash Auditorium, with the Growing Together Gardening Resources Fair to follow in the Prov-Wash Lobby from 1:15 - 3:00 PM.
Interested? RSVP here! Note that registrations are encouraged but not required to attend. This event is open to members of the RISD community (students, faculty, staff) only at this time.
About the talk (12:00 - 1:00 PM): Doug Tallamy will kick off the afternoon with a special talk on his initiative, Homegrown National Park. According to Dr. Tallamy, "Our parks, preserves, and remaining wildlands – no matter how grand in scale – are too small and separated from one another to sustain the native trees, plants, insects, and animals on which our ecosystems depend. We can fix this problem by practicing conservation outside of wildlands, where we live, work, shop, farm, and ranch. Thus, the concept for Homegrown National Park: a national challenge to create diverse ecosystems in our yards, communities, farms, and surrounding lands by reducing lawn, planting native, and removing invasive species. The goal of HNP is to create a national movement to restore 20 million acres with natives, an area representing ½ of what is now in lawn, as well as millions more acres in agriculture and woodlots. We are at a critical point where we are losing so many native plant and animal species that our life support systems are in jeopardy. However, if many people make small changes, we can restore healthy ecological networks and weather the changes ahead." See more about the presenter below. Please note that this in an in-person event, wherein our guest will join us virtually via Zoom and guests will gather in the Prov-Wash Auditorium to listen. For those unable to attend the talk, a recording of the Zoom will be made available at a later date.
About the Garden Resources Fair (1:15 - 3:00 PM): The Staff Council Growing Together initiative is excited to host its first-ever Garden Resources Fair, featuring a 15+ exhibitors from local community gardens, planting initiatives, and eco-oriented nonprofits. Whether you have a green thumb or haven't touched a trowel in your life, all are welcome to learn more about the local resources for making an impact in your neighborhood, and participate in a number of gardening-related activities like seed sowing and soil testing. Further information on local exhibitors forthcoming-- keep an eye out for an email from Staff Council with this information and more in mid-late February!
About the speaker: Doug Tallamy is the T. A. Baker Professor of Agriculture in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, where he has authored 118 research publications and has taught insect related courses for 45 years. Chief among his research goals is to better understand the many ways insects interact with plants and how such interactions determine the diversity of animal communities. His books include Bringing Nature Home, The Living Landscape, co-authored with Rick Darke, Nature's Best Hope, a New York Times Best Seller, The Nature of Oaks, winner of the American Horticultural Society’s 2022 book award, and his latest book How Can I Help. In 2021 he cofounded Homegrown National Park with Michelle Alfandari (HomegrownNationalPark.org). His awards include recognition from The Garden Writer’s Association, Audubon, The National Wildlife Federation, Allegheny College, Ecoforesters, The Garden Club of America, The Herb Society, and The American Horticultural Association.
