This illustrated presentation will introduce you to the ample visual evidence that can be seen in the woods of former agricultural, logging, and wind activity in our woodlands. For adults.
Few things on Earth are as miraculous and vital as seeds—worshiped and treasured since the dawn of humankind. In the last century, 94% of our seed varieties have disappeared. The film, SEED: The Untold Story, follows passionate seed keepers protecting our 12,000 year-old food legacy. For adults.
It is the 200th anniversary of Thoreau’s birth this year, and 2017 was the 800th anniversary of the Charter of the Forest. Both speak to a shared appreciation and stewardship of nature. Many know the former but are ignorant of the latter, so Robinson combines the two and links them to the research of Elinor Ostrom, who was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in economics. For adults.
Pollinators are all the buzz… but why? They are in desperate need of help as their numbers dwindle from loss of habitat, food sources, pesticide overuse and more. Get the sweet stuff on the vital role that native pollinators and honeybees play, and learn about pollinator friendly plants to spice up your yard and help these critical species survive.
As daylight hours dwindle and we move indoors, many animals are just getting busy. Come along to explore the fascinating and surprisingly active hour between day and night. For everyone.
WASTED! exposes the criminality of food waste and how it’s directly contributing to climate change and shows us how each of us can make small changes — all of them delicious — to solve one of the greatest problems of the 21st century. Takes place at the Croton Free Library.
Haiku poet, editor, and author Scott Mason reveals and demonstrates five distinct ways in which haiku poetry can help us relate to the natural world with ever greater attentiveness and appreciation. A frequent Teatown visitor, Mason has won over 150 awards in international competitions for his own haiku. For adults.
Do you know what’s lurking in your backyard? How can a phone app help fight the spread of invasive species? iMapInvasives is a collaborative database designed to collect and share information about invasive species. The information that is generated is used to map where these invasive species are and how scientists can effectively contend with them. Citizen Scientists (that’s you!) are an essential part of this puzzle – making a difference with just a couple of clicks! Please join Teatown Educators as we walk you through the iMapInvasives program and introduce you to a few non-native invasive species. For everyone.
Jerry Pinkney has illustrated over 100 children’s books, including classics like The Tortoise and the Hare, The Lion and the Mouse, and Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. A recipient of the Caldecott Medal, five New York Times “Best Illustrated Books” honors, and five Coretta Scott King Awards, Jerry’s work engages readers with rich drawings and paintings of people, animals, and environments. Jerry has used several of Teatown’s animal ambassadors as models for his illustrations! For adults.
Al will share visuals of his work and talk about how he uses photography to show the importance of the Pinelands to the region and to the world.
Any backyard has the potential to refresh and inspire if you know what to do. Landscape architect Jan Johnsen will be discussing techniques from her new book, Gardentopia: Design Basics for Beautiful Outdoor Spaces. For adults.
Join professional photographer Todd Shapera for his presentation, Vanishing Landscapes, which will feature endangered, remote regions from the Yangtze to the Yukon. He’ll also share photography close to home and far away - profiling Cuban farmers, conservation in Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, and a four-season project in the Rockefeller Preserve. For adults.
Bedford 2020 leaders will share their experience as we think about how lessons learned can apply to Croton. The Bedford 2020 Coalition had a mission of organizing and leading a community effort to reduce Bedford’s greenhouse emissions 20% by 2020.
Bats are one of the most maligned creatures in the natural world, often portrayed as evil blood-sucking critters. In reality, these amazing mammals play an important ecological role as pollinators and as nature’s pest control squad. We will discuss their special adaptations, dispel myths, and learn ways to conserve this vital species. For everyone.
Larry Weaner is an icon in the world of ecological landscape design, and now his revolutionary approach is available to all gardeners. Garden Revolution shows how an ecological approach to planting can lead to beautiful gardens that buck much of conventional gardening’s counter-productive, time-consuming practices.
Although the blooms of summer have long faded, wildflowers surround us with their beauty in our daily lives through poetry, drama, music, and paintings. Join Julie Woodward, a Wildflower Island guide and avid woodlands adventurer, as she brings us on a colorful and entertaining exploration of Teatown’s wildflowers in the arts. For adults.
Take a walk in the woods with acclaimed Irish-Canadian scientist and author, Diana Beresford-Kroeger, as she reveals our profound human connection to the ancient & sacred northern forests and the essential role that they play in sustaining the health of our planet. For everyone. Program takes place at the Croton Free Library.
The Book of Eels by Patrik Svensson explores the mysterious eel and those who have been obsessed with this creature throughout history. The international bestseller has people drawn to the unknown, "We need enigmas," said Svensson. 'We need questions that aren’t answered yet. Eels argue with our confidence that the world is explained."
Kim Eierman founder of Ecobeneficial, a local author, ecological designer and a longtime friend of Teatown, presents a native plant webinar featuring her latest book The Pollinator Victory Garden. With pollinators in steep decline she offers insight on how best to combat this trend with ecological gardening. Unfortunately, most of our landscapes offer little in the way of appropriate habitat and forage. With simple strategies, you can become a garden warrior and attract and support not just bees, but an array of pollinators.
For adults.
