Winter (Virtual) Talks 2021

Please join us for a set of fascinating winter talks on Saturday mornings. 

Usually, we host these presentations at the Harwich Community Center, but this time around you can enjoy learning from home. Explore a variety of topics from bobcats to box turtles to backyard pollinators as well as rescuing whales and eco-restoration. 

This five-session webinar series is $25 and begins January 16th at 10 a.m. 

You can reserve online – here. 

Check out the exciting upcoming talks below!

 

Bobcats: Biology & Behavior
Sat., Jan. 16th, 10 – 11:00 a.m.

Presentation by Jason E. Zimmer: Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, SE Wildlife District, District Supervisor

Bobcats (Lynx rufus) are making a comeback in Southeastern MA, thanks to strong source populations in Northern New England, state hunting restrictions, and the bobcat’s adaptable nature. Jason’s talk will focus on the natural history of bobcats including reproductive biology, food habits, habitat use, and more. It will also include information on the history of bobcats in Massachusetts and discuss their extirpation from, eventual return to, and recovery in the state. The talk will also provide general information on how to effectively and safely live with the wildlife found in and around your neighborhood.

 

Herring River Tidal Restoration
Sat., Jan. 23rd, 10 – 11:00 a.m.

Presentation by Martha Craig: Friends of Herring River, Executive Director

The 1,000+ acre Herring River estuary in Wellfleet and Truro was an unrestricted tidal marsh until 1909 when a dike was constructed across the mouth of the river. Following several decades of hydrologic and ecological research, an incremental restoration of tidal exchange is proposed for the estuary. Martha’s talk will focus on the science behind restoration and the Friends of Herring River role in educating the public about its benefits.   

 

Rescuing Entangled Whales
Sat., Jan. 30th, 10 – 11:00 a.m.

Presentation by Scott Landry: Center for Coastal Studies, Marine Animal Entanglement Response, Director

Since 1984, the Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) has freed more than 200 large whales and other marine animals from life-threatening entanglements, using techniques developed by Center staff. For many years, CCS was the only organization on the east coast of the United States to be federally  authorized by the National Marine Fisheries Service to disentangle large, free-swimming whales, such as the humpback and the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. Join us to learn about innovative and daring whale rescue work.

 

Ecology & Conservation of North American Box Turtles
Sat., Feb. 6th, 10 – 11:00 a.m.

Presentation by Mike Jones, Ph.D.: Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, State Herpetologist

Box turtles are colorful, long-lived, and secretive yet familiar inhabitants of many forested ecosystems from central New England to eastern Mexico. They are a species of conservation need in many northeastern states, and a Species of Special Concern because of rarity in Massachusetts. Box turtle populations are negatively affected by habitat fragmentation and road construction. They are also the target of collectors for an illegal pet trade. In this presentation, Mike will discuss the ecology of the Eastern box turtle on Cape Cod and in Massachusetts more generally, while highlighting some interesting aspects of the evolution and diversity of box turtles. He will also share some ecological observations and images from box turtle research in other parts of the continent.

 

Pollinators of Cape Cod
Sat., Feb. 13th, 10 – 11:00 a.m.

Presentation by Mark Faherty: Mass Audubon, Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, Science Coordinator   

Mark has been the Science Coordinator at Mass Audubon’s  Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary  since August 2007. While his current projects involve everything from oysters and horseshoe crabs to bats and butterflies, he has studied primarily bird ecology for the last 20 years. Recently, Mark oversaw an overhaul of Wellfleet Bay’s pollinator gardens to focus on native plants. Mark’s talk will focus on the native insects and birds that provide critical pollinator services for plants.  He’ll also talk about some of his favorite garden and native landscape plants and how to provide habitat for these incredibly important little workhorses of our natural, agricultural, and suburban landscapes.