Twenty-thousand years ago, New England was under a block of ice that grew and shrank, gouged and reshaped the landscape. The plants and animals that had once lived here were either gone forever, or had retreated deep into southeastern North America where the climate was still temperate and livable. As the climate warmed and the glacier retreated, the ecological pilgrims began their long trek north to reclaim and rebuild their forever altered habitat. Nearly 400 years ago, European pilgrims made a similar journey across the Atlantic, intentionally (and just as often unintentionally) bringing with them the plants and animals of their forsaken homeland. Much like the glacier, these more recent ecological pilgrims continue to reshape our landscape. This Lunch and Learn will trace the ecological history of our region from the peak of glaciation 20,000 years ago to the present.

M. Caitlin Fisher-Reid is an assistant professor at Bridgewater State University specializing in ecology and evolutionary biology. She studies the habitat preferences and population genetics of one of these ecological pilgrims, the eastern red-backed salamander, which migrated to New England from southern Appalachia after the glacial retreat.

FAQs

What can I bring into the event?

You may bring a bagged lunch or snack to enjoy while you experience the lecture series. We have Patuxet Cafe, in the Visitor Center, which is open during our operating season (mid-March through November), and is not open in the Winter. You can view the Patuxet Cafe menu, on our website: http://www.plimoth.org/plan-your-visit/shop-dine/dining-functions.

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

Please contact Christina Coleman, Public Programs Manager, at (508) 746-1622 ext. 8107 or by emailing ccoleman@plimoth.org, with any questions or if you would like to purchase tickets over the phone.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

You do not have to bring your printed ticket to the event. You may give your name to the Event Facilitator at check-in.