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Events at Smith

It's Spring Break!
March 18, 2024
March 19, 2024
March 20, 2024
March 21, 2024
March 22, 2024

Events Off Campus

A Scoping Study for a NASA Tropical Forest Terrestrial Ecology Campaign
March 18, 2024
The tropics are experiencing dramatic changes as a result of climate change and land-use change. Shifts in carbon flux dynamics, water cycling, and species composition are resulting in feedbacks with globally important consequences for biodiversity, climate change, and food production. Yet, we also know that the tropical forests are not uniform. Their species diversity, climate, soils, and human impact vary enormously from the Americas to Africa to Asia. As a result, tropical forest ecosystems are already showing evidence of varying responses to climate and land-use change. However, these differences remain highly uncertain and poorly understood. PANGEA is a NASA-funded effort to scope a 6- to 9-year multi-scale campaign in the tropics focused on improving understanding of the heterogeneous responses to climate change, with broad research focus on biodiversity, biogeochemical cycling, and food security. We are spending all of 2024 working with the international research and end-user communities to outline a possible campaign in the tropics. In December 2024, we will submit a white paper to NASA detailing our proposal. If selected, the campaign would support coordinated fieldwork and airborne remote sensing data collection that will inform our use of satellite remote sensing and modeling to better understand the change dynamics in the tropics. We are working to coordinate across NASA programs (e.g., carbon cycle science, biodiversity, hydrology, applied science programs on agriculture) as well as with other U.S. and international funding agencies and donors. Although there is no guarantee that NASA will support the recommended project, this is a once-in-a-decade opportunity to assemble multi-disciplinary research communities to align efforts and outline a focused campaign. We will reserve a large portion of time for questions, discussion, and feedback.
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Webinar - register at link above
2:30 pm to 3:30 pm

From Environmental Progress to Climate Change Challenges
March 19, 2024
Claire L Parkinson will deliver a Rachel Carson Distinguished Lecture via Zoom. Dr. Parkinson is a leading climate scientist who has examined the Earth’s climate system through computer modeling and especially satellite remote sensing, with a particular emphasis on Arctic and Antarctic sea ice. She has worked at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center since July 1978. Among her many prestigious honors and awards, Dr. Parkinson is an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the American Philosophical Society, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
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Webinar - register at link above
9:00 am

World Water Day webinar: Of Water, Wars, and Climate Change
March 22, 2024
with Dr. Timothy Randhir, Ph.D., Director of the Water Resources Research Center of UMass, MA. Register and join at the link below:
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Online
1:00 pm to 2:15 pm

Events at Smith

Exhibit- BUS: A Teacher in Transit
March 25, 2024
Smith College visiting professor of creative writing and Joan Leiman Jacobson Writer-in-Residence Russ Rymer presents an essay in photographs and wall text about the experience of teaching, the nature of reality and perception, and the conjoined arts of science and writing – all told through Rymer’s experience commuting to Northampton on the intercity bus. The ten images in the show, shot with a rudimentary camera during those commutes and blown up to enormous size, capture the magical light show infusing his bus rides, rides Rymer likens to “blasting through space in a kaleidoscope.” The exhibit is presented by the Smith College Office of the Arts, in partnership with the Department of English Language and Literature, and Clark Science Center. The exhibit will be on display from March 13 to May 1.
McConnell Hall Lobby Gallery
8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Geothermal Project Tour
March 26, 2024
Would you like to know more about what all the construction around campus is about? Have you wanted to know more about what the college is doing to mitigate its carbon footprint? This is your chance to get answers to these questions and more during one of our student-run Geothermal Project Tours! Rain date is 3/28 at the same time. Open to all Smith community members.
Meet at the Elm St entrance to the Campus Center
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Reception for BUS: A Teacher in Transit exhibit
March 27, 2024
Smith College visiting professor of creative writing and Joan Leiman Jacobson Writer-in-Residence Russ Rymer presents an essay in photographs and wall text about the experience of teaching, the nature of reality and perception, and the conjoined arts of science and writing – all told through Rymer’s experience commuting to Northampton on the intercity bus. The ten images in the show, shot with a rudimentary camera during those commutes and blown up to enormous size, capture the magical light show infusing his bus rides, rides Rymer likens to “blasting through space in a kaleidoscope.” The exhibit is presented by the Smith College Office of the Arts, in partnership with the Department of English Language and Literature, and Clark Science Center. The exhibit will be on display from March 13 to May 1.
McConnell Foyer
5:30 pm

'Carrying Capacity' An Exhibition by Gaye Chan
March 28, 2024
This exhibition is a durational project Gaye Chan began in 2012 that stemmed from a chance encounter at a produce distribution company. As commodities move across the globe, baling straps are used once and discarded into the waste stream. Chan gave herself the task of figuring out how to reuse them. Eleven years and over a thousand weaved baskets later, she continues to extend the life of this ‘waste’ material. "Carrying Capacity" will be on display in the Oresman Gallery, March 28 - May 9, Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.
Hillyer Hall, Brown Fine Arts Center
8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Sharing Joy of Smith's Greenery - Workshop Part 2
March 28, 2024
Led by Fish Fischer '24. One of the great benefits of being a residential Smithie is enjoying our beautiful campus. Each day, we walk the campus paths and are surrounded by trees, shrubs, and meadows. Some of the greenery is well-known - the bulb garden and the ginkgo tree by the botanical garden - but what about other plants that have become students’ favorites? Join us and collaboratively submit a spatial survey form to record your favorite plants across campus. Participants will gather to learn how to use the data collection form, wander the campus, and submit a form for their favorite plant. Please help spread love of plants and build a greener, more joyous community. Snacks will be provided. Register your interest at the link below. Reach out to sal@smith.edu with any questions!
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Sabin Reed 104
4:15 pm to 5:00 pm

Symposium-- The Greenhouse Effect: Atmospheres of the Botanical Humanities
March 29, 2024
March 30, 2024
This two-day symposium asks what might be learned about the conditions of planetary life by looking closely at greenhouses and their atmospheres. Newly attuned to the politics of breathing and atmosphere in a world transformed by a global pandemic, climate change, and anti-black police violence; newly attuned to the aesthetics of interspecies love and horror in a world of extinctions and invasive species; newly attuned to the politics of knowledge catalyzed by global feminisms, decolonial and postcolonial theory, indigenous sovereignty movements, and the rematriation of science and art collections—what might we learn about the pleasures and perils of life on Earth from encounters under glass today? This symposium brings together leading scholars of breathing and transpiration, feminism and botany, glass and modernity, collections and colonization, to explore that question. Free and open to the public. See the webpage for the daily schedule of events
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Smith College Alumnae House, 33 Elm St., Northampton, MA, 01060

Field Station Friday: My First Hike
March 29, 2024
Never been on a hike before? This is for you! Interns will lead you on an easy hike, as well answering questions about what to wear, what to bring, and what to expect. Vans leave at 4:15 PM from Sage Hall circle; sign up at the link below.
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MacLeish Field Station - Meet at Sage Hall Circle
4:15 pm to 6:30 pm

Braiding Old and New Science Toward Restoration of the American Chestnut
March 30, 2024
with Sara Fitzsimmons, Chief Conservation Officer for The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF). This is the keynote for the day-long Chestnut Conservation Symposium hosted by the MA/RI Chapter in honor of the 40th Anniversary of The American Chestnut Foundation.
Weinstein Auditorium, Wright Hall
1:05 pm to 2:00 pm

American Chestnuts In and Out of the Classroom
March 30, 2024
A presentation by Norfolk Regional Junior High School and Tantasqua Regional Junior High School teachers & students. Moderated by Paul Wetzel, Curriculum & Research Administrator, Smith College CEEDS. Part of the day-long Chestnut Conservation Symposium hosted by the MA/RI Chapter in honor of the 40th Anniversary of The American Chestnut Foundation. All welcome.
Weinstein Auditorium, Wright Hall
2:00 pm to 2:30 pm

Concurrent activities of the Chestnut Conservation Symposium
March 30, 2024
TABLES outside the WEINSTEIN Auditorium: Probability & Statistics in Breeding Chestnuts; Membership & Volunteer Opportunities; Germplasm Conservation Orchards; Forest Plantings on Cape Cod & Educational Signs. In the MACHARG Room in CEEDS: The Joy of Chestnuts; Finding Wildlife and Chestnuts on the AMC Trails. ROOM 002: Documentary Videos (multiple) and Photographs. These events are part of the day-long Chestnut Conservation Symposium hosted by the MA/RI Chapter in honor of the 40th Anniversary of The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF). All welcome.
Various. See above
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Panel: Challenges to Restoring the American Chestnut
March 30, 2024
A conversation between Laura Meyerson, Professor, department of natural resource sciences, University of Rhode Island; Emily Monosson, author and adjunct faculty in the department of environmental conservation, UMass, Amherst; and Nate Lord, student at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry; moderated by Carolyn Wetzel, professor of Biology at Holyoke Community College. Part of the day-long Chestnut Conservation Symposium hosted by the MA/RI Chapter in honor of the 40th Anniversary of The American Chestnut Foundation. All welcome.
Weinstein Auditorium, Wright Hall
2:45 pm to 3:45 pm

The Agony and the Ecstasy of Managing a Chestnut Orchard
March 30, 2024
With John Emery, Orchard Manager, Weston Orchard and Doug Miner, Orchard Manager, Sandisfield Orchard. Part of the day-long Chestnut Conservation Symposium hosted by the MA/RI Chapter in honor of the 40th Anniversary of The American Chestnut Foundation. All welcome.
Weinstein Auditorium, Wright Hall
3:30 pm to 4:00 pm

A Success Story: The Restoration of the Bald Eagle in Massachusetts
March 30, 2024
Bill Davis, MA Div of Fisheries and Wildlife and TACF board member; John Organ, Chief of the Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units and Senior Science Advisor for Cooperative Research for the U.S. Geological Survey and colleagues. Part of the day-long Chestnut Conservation Symposium hosted by the MA/RI Chapter in honor of the 40th Anniversary of The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF). All welcome.
Weinstein Auditorium, Wright Hall
4:05 pm to 4:35 pm

Events Off Campus

Captured sunshine:
March 28, 2024
what can an energetic view of life on Earth tell us about nature decline and recovery? Yadvinder Malhi of the University of Oxford (UK) will deliver this Rachel Carson Distinguished Lecture via Zoom. Dr. Malhi is a leading ecologist, Professor of Ecosystem Science at the University of Oxford, and Director of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery. Among his many prestigious honors and awards, Professor Malhi is a Fellow of the Royal Society, was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2020 Birthday Honours, was recognized by the Marsh Award for Climate Change of the British Ecological Society, and was awarded the Patron's Medal of the Royal Geographical Society.
More...
Webinar - register at link
9:00 am

Events at Smith

Exhibit- BUS: A Teacher in Transit
April 1, 2024
Smith College visiting professor of creative writing and Joan Leiman Jacobson Writer-in-Residence Russ Rymer presents an essay in photographs and wall text about the experience of teaching, the nature of reality and perception, and the conjoined arts of science and writing – all told through Rymer’s experience commuting to Northampton on the intercity bus. The ten images in the show, shot with a rudimentary camera during those commutes and blown up to enormous size, capture the magical light show infusing his bus rides, rides Rymer likens to “blasting through space in a kaleidoscope.” The exhibit is presented by the Smith College Office of the Arts, in partnership with the Department of English Language and Literature, and Clark Science Center. The exhibit will be on display from March 13 to May 1.
McConnell Hall Lobby Gallery
8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Lecture with Eli Nixon, Artist, Performer, Author
April 1, 2024
Part of the spring semester Landscape Studies LSS 100 speakers program.
Hillyer Art Complex, Graham Hall
3:05 pm

'Carrying Capacity' An Exhibition by Gaye Chan
April 4, 2024
This exhibition is a durational project Gaye Chan began in 2012 that stemmed from a chance encounter at a produce distribution company. As commodities move across the globe, baling straps are used once and discarded into the waste stream. Chan gave herself the task of figuring out how to reuse them. Eleven years and over a thousand weaved baskets later, she continues to extend the life of this ‘waste’ material. "Carrying Capacity" will be on display in the Oresman Gallery, March 28 - May 9, Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.
Hillyer Hall, Brown Fine Arts Center
8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Plant Ecology and Climate Change in Acadia National Park
April 4, 2024
Caitlin McDonough MacKenzie is an Assistant Professor at Bennington College. Her talk, Plant Ecology and Climate Change in Acadia National Park: Conservation Lessons from Fossil Pollen, Historical Floras, and Field Manipulations is the second of a three-part botany talk series in honor of John Burk as part of the Spring 2024 Mary Elizabeth Dickason King M.D. Annual Lecture Series in the Life Sciences in Memory of Professor Howard Parshley. Light snacks will be served at 4:15 p.m.; talk to begin at 4:30 p.m. Free and open to the public.
Seelye 201
4:30 pm

The Great Unconformity and flooding of North America
April 4, 2024
a lecture with Professor Francis Macdonald, University of California, Santa Barbara. A student dinner is served at 6 p.m., and prior to the lecture in the foyer.
McConnell 103
7:00 pm

Field Station Friday: Signs of Spring Hike
April 5, 2024
Spring is finally starting to feel like it's almost here! Join us for a hike up at the beautiful MacLeish Field Station and see how many signs of spring you can spot. Wear good walking shoes and dress for the weather. Meet at 4:15 pm at Sage Hall Circle for pick up; sign up for a spot in the van at the link below.
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MacLeish Field Station - Meet at Sage Hall Circle
4:15 pm to 6:30 pm

Events Off Campus

Uncovering the Benefits of Climate Change Mitigation for Health and the Economy
April 4, 2024
Drew Shindell of Duke University will deliver a Rachel Carson Distinguished Lecture via Zoom. Dr. Shindell is Nicholas Distinguished Professor of Earth Science at Duke University. As a leading interdisciplinary scientist, he has testified before both houses of Congress and made numerous media appearances. He chairs the Scientific Advisory Panel to the Climate and Clean Air Coalition and serves on the Science Advisory Board of the US EPA. His exceptional accomplishments have been recognized by many prestigious awards and honors. For example, he is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a global “Highly Cited Researcher”, and a recipient of the Scientific American Top 50 Scientist Award.
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Webinar - register at link above
9:00 am

A Conversation with Elizabeth Kolbert: H is for Hope
April 4, 2024
Join the Miller Worley Center for the Environment and Odyssey Bookshop for a talk with Elizabeth Kolbert, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Sixth Extinction, as she discusses her new book H is for Hope. Director of the Miller Worley Center, Olivia Aguilar, will moderate a conversation with Kolbert. Registration is free but required (see link).
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Odyssey Bookshop, doors open at 6:30 p.m.
7:00 pm