Focused Year on Climate Hope & Resilience

How do we navigate the complex environmental challenges we’re facing? How do we make space for everyone at the table? How do we practice self-care along with community-care and ecological-care? Join us to explore these and other questions at events throughout our focused year on climate hope and resilience.

A Celebration of New Site-Specific Artworks

With Arts Afield

Saturday, October 17 at 1:30 p.m., MacLeish Field Station

Visitors are welcome to tour the grounds at any time. A guided tour with the artists, Rita Leduc and Gina Siepel, will begin from the parking lot at 1:30 p.m. At approximately 3:30 p.m., we will return and gather at the Bechtel Environmental Classroom for a reception and discussion between Gina, Rita, and artist and writer Andrew S. Yang. The event is free and open to the public, and you are welcome to join us for all or part of the day’s events.

More Upcoming Events

The Future of Coffee: Film Screening & Panel Discussion

Thursday, October 29 at 5 p.m., Weinstein Auditorium

This short film investigates coffee as a locus of intersecting concerns about labor, global trade, and environmentalism. Following the film, director Kevin Anderson (communications department, UMass) will facilitate a discussion with special guest panelists from local coffee companies, and we’ll round out the evening with a coffee tasting. Sponsored by CEEDS and the Kahn Liberal Arts Institute. All are welcome.

Enter This Wild Wood: Premiere Screening & Panel Discussion

Wednesday, November 18 at 7 p.m., Weinstein Auditorium

Venture into the woods with naturalist-leaning engineer Bob Leverett, who helped identify long overlooked old-growth forests in Massachusetts with distinguished scientists, and improved the accuracy of existing tree measuring methods, while fostering intimate, personal relationships with individual trees and exceptional woodlands.

The 30-minute documentary will be followed by a panel discussion with film director Colin Hodgson, co-producers Monica and Bob Leverett, ecologist Jared Lockwood, Director Emeritus of Harvard Forest David Foster, and Shelby Perry, Wildlands Ecology Director, Northeast Wilderness Trust.

Past Events

Get a sense of the kinds of events we’ll be offering throughout the year.

Sapere Sapori

A Sensory Journey Into Italian Olive Oil

Come experience different regional varieties of Italian olive oil on toasted bread. Discover different tastes and shades of gold.

Can Cities Stay Social in Extreme Heat?

Rajji Desai

As temperatures rise, public life is increasingly pushed indoors, where air-conditioned comfort can come at the cost of social connection. In this talk, Rajji Desai, urban climate researcher-designer with CBT Architects, will explore how designing for thermal comfort can extend outdoor activity, strengthen community wellbeing, and foster more resilient, people-centered cities, even in some of the world’s hottest environments.

Climate Arcana: Tarot for a Heating World

Rajji Desai

Tarot has historically been a guide in times of uncertainty, uncovering hidden truths and unarticulated fears. Within a climate discourse too often mired in either denial or blind optimism, tarot provides another possibility for a heating world. Artist Rajji Desai created Climate Arcana, reimagining the traditional tarot deck as a bridge for climate storytelling, allowing each reader to imagine alternative climate futures.

Deep Mapping Rivers in Coalition-Based Research

Sarah Kelly

From the Willimapu (Mapuche-Williche territory in southern Chile) to the Black River Valley of Vermont, with Sarah Kelly, lecturer in geography at Dartmouth College.

From Computer Science to Center Stage

Vienna Teng

Acclaimed singer-songwriter, performing artist, and creative entrepreneur Vienna Teng will lead an inspiring conversation about her journey from studying computer science and working at Cisco Systems, a leading technology company, to pursuing a full-time music career.

Music for Dessert

Vienna Teng

Vienna Teng is a songwriter, performer, and organizer. She has been featured on NPR and The Late Show, recorded albums for Rounder/Universal Records, and her music garners over 450,000 annual listeners on streaming services.

Building Resilience: East Asian Medicine & Acupressure Workshop

Maya Joshua

Expand your self-care toolbox with natural medicine! Maya Joshua, a licensed acupuncturist, will lead an interactive workshop for students on how to use acupressure to manage stress and maintain good health through East Asian medicine concepts. You will walk away with tools you can use in your day-to-day life—no needles required!

Start with Joy: A Climate Action Workshop

Vienna Teng

Rather than focusing on the climate crisis itself, Vienna will help you reflect on what gives you energy and meaning (start with joy), identify whom you could join in taking action (stop being one person), integrate climate solutions into your busy life (stack with other stuff), and choose one thing and take a simple first step (stress less).