Top Navigation

Cornell Plantations Partners with New York City's 92nd Street Y for Lecture Series

Published: 
7 years 16 weeks ago

Cornell Plantations has partnered with the 92nd Street Y in New York City for its “Changing Earth” lecture series.  This unique series of seven lectures will take place monthly from November 2011 to May 2012, and is part of the Y’s First Class Science adult education program.

The year-long series kicks off on November 16th and features diverse topics and speakers from Cornell University and other organizations.

Dr. Nina Bassuk, professor in Cornell’s Department of Horticulture, delivers the first Plantations-themed lecture of the series on December 7 at 7:00 p.m., “Why Do We Need Trees?”  She is co-author with Peter Trowbridge of Trees in the Urban Landscape, and leads the Urban Horticulture Institute at Cornell.

Dr. Don Rakow, the E.N. Wilds director of Cornell Plantations will give the second Plantations-themed lecture on March 14, “Why do we need green spaces? The importance of public gardens and parks in our communities.” Beyond fulfilling our need for a connection to nature, he'll talk about how the roles of parks and public gardens are changing dramatically in this era of increasing environmental crises.  

“Cornell Plantations is excited to partner with the 92nd St. Y to sponsor these lectures,” stated Dr. Rakow.  “In the crowded, fast-paced cities of today, we have a greater need than ever for the beauty and ecological services provided by street trees, parks, and public gardens.  In these lectures to be provided by Prof. Nina L. Bassuk and myself, participants will learn about ongoing research and outreach efforts to extend the lives of urban trees, as well as the many ways in which public gardens enrich our lives.”

Also speaking as part of the “Changing Earth” series is, Dr. Jonathon Lunine, the David C. Duncan professor of astronomy at Cornell University.  Lunine will speak on April 18, 2012 on the possibility of life forms on other planets.

For more information and a complete listing of speakers click here.