Scroll down for Important Info section below.

Ecosystems across our highly developed region are threatened by climate change. At the same time, local ecosystems can help us to weather the coming climate shocks. Ecosystems are our allies, and there is much that we can do to revitalize them in our yards, streets, neighborhoods, parks, wetlands and waters. Zeyneb Magavi, a lead organizer of Mothers Out Front, will describe these connections.

Keynote speaker Tom Wessels , author of The Myth of Progress, Toward a Sustainable Future , will speak on Self-organization, Co-evolution, Resiliency, and Stability

. Self-organization is a natural process—that, as a system grows it also becomes more complex. The talk will focus on how this process works in ecosystems via co-evolution to generate the incredible biodiversity we see in nature. Many examples of regional co-evolved relationships will be used to illustrate how co-evolution works. The talk then shows how this process is a wonderful model for creating sustainable human systems.

Program Presentations

• Zeyneb Magavi of Mothers Our Front/Cambridge and HEET on Energy Execs, Ecosystems, and Alliances
• Terrestrial ecologist Tom Wessels, author of The Myth of Progress. Towards a Sustainable Future on Self-organization, Co-evolution, Resiliency, and Stability. He will show how self-organization works to generate the incredible biodiversity we see in nature. He then shows how this process is a wonderful model for creating the effective, sustainable human systems we urgently need.
• A panel on Practices of Eco-Restoration, with speakers from the Mystic River Watershed Association, Depave the Way, UMass Boston, Eastie Farm and the Cambridge Committee on Public Planting.

Afternoon workshops on revitalizing:

• soils and agriculture;
• watersheds and wetlands;
• urban tree canopy;
• shorelines;

Ecosystems in our region can help us reduce the risks of floods, heat waves, droughts and rising seas. There is much we can do in parks, shores, neighborhoods and yards to help them survive and flourish!

Important Info:

Download and view agenda:  http://www.sierraclub.org/sites/www.sierraclub.org/files/sce/massachusetts-chapter/2018-03-31%20GBG-B4C%20Conference%20Program.pdf

Parking/Public transportation info:  https://hmnh.harvard.edu/directions-and-parking

Brown bag lunch encouraged. Beverages, fruit, and snacks will be provided.

Venue is ADA compliant. An ADA accessible entrance and elevator are located on the left side of the building at the North Entrance, at 26 Oxford Street. The main entrance is not ADA accessible. 

Cost: $10 via Eventbrite.

The Greater Boston Group of the Sierra Club (GBG) and Biodiversity for a Livable Climate are not affiliated with Harvard University. This conference of the Sierra Club GBG and Biodiversity for a Livable Climate is not a Harvard University program or activity.