2020 A Celebration of Biodiversity: 50th Earth Year Kick-Off Event with Naturalist and Radio Host Laurie Sanders

Description

A Call to Action and Celebration of Biodiversity; 50th Earth Year Kick-off Event with Naturalist and Radio Host Laurie Sanders April 1, 2020 Opening Reception 6:00 p.m. Keynote Kick-off 7:00 p.m. USFWS Regional Headquarters, Hadley, MA Earth Day 1970-2020: A Retrospective & Next Steps In a time when it can be easy to be despondent over the future of the world, naturalist Laurie Sanders will take a retrospective look at the changes in environmental protection, conservation and our understanding of the natural world during the fifty years since the nation's first Earth Day drew a crowd of 20 million. Using examples from the Valley, she will discuss important national and global changes and trends as well as highlight the Valley's special natural areas, its fascinating flora and fauna, and pay tribute to some of the local people whose vision and determination have helped protect the Valley's landscapes and natural resources. Join Laurie Sanders and the Valley Environmental Education Collaborative for an evening of celebration and reflection. Ms. Sanders is a naturalist, writer and the former host and producer of Field Notes, a weekly natural history series that aired on New England Public Radio for a decade. Ms. Sanders currently works with Conservation Works and co-directs Historic Northampton. The Valley Environmental Education Collaborative includes Mass Audubon, the Hitchcock Center for the Environment, FirstLight Power’s Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and Western Mass Pollinator Networks. Throughout 2020 the Valley Environmental Education Collaborative (VEEC) is hosting a series of events focusing on biodiversity and pollinators. Join us for this free kick-off event on April 1st celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day. Event location: 300 Westgate Center Drive, Hadley, MA