The Virtual Speaker Series features an environmentally focused speaker the third Thursday of every month (except summer months), beginning at 7:00 p.m. Zoom invites will be published on the website under events and emailed to all members before the event. Keep reading to view recordings of some of our past speakers, or check out our YouTube channel here.
March 2025 – Welcoming Native Plants Into Your Garden
Martie Teumim, a founding member of the Capital Region New York Chapter of Wild Ones, a national organization dedicated to educating people about native plants and natural landscapes, will discuss the benefits of using native plants.
February 2025 – Green Schools Travel Officer
Ciarán Hussey, a Green-Schools Travel Officer in Ireland, discusses his work for the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce, including how he helps schools increase the number of pupils walking, cycling, scooting, carpooling, using public transport or using park ‘n’ stride instead of the private car on the school run.
January 2025 – Monitoring Forest Health
Forest pathologist Kelsey McLaughlin discusses stressors of tree health, how to recognize when a tree is sick, common sense practices to reduce stresses of backyard trees and more.
November 2024 – Time to Move Beyond Plastics
Professional engineer Liz Mastrianni discusses how we have been deceived by plastics manufacturers and what we can do to make a difference.
October 2024 – New York ReLeaf
Christina McLaughlin of the NYS Department of Conservation’s Urban and Community Forestry program describes how the New York ReLeaf program provides outreach and tools to realize the benefits of a well-planned urban forest. One of the tools Governor Hochul provided in the 2024 Executive Budget is an initiative to plant 25 million trees in New York State by 2033! Learn about the state’s plans to get the planting work accomplished and how you and your community can help.
September 2024 – Homelessness and Climate Change
Harris Eisenhardt, VP of Outreach on the ECOS Board of Directors, explores the disproportionate challenges that individuals experiencing homelessness face in a changing climate and covers ways to help build resilience in our communities, and expand our resources to support one of the most vulnerable groups in our population.
April 2024 – Flight Plan
Laura McCarthy, Sr. Manager of Network Engagement, and Eric Lind, Director of Education Programming at Audubon New York, lead a conversation about Audubon’s network and what their strategic “Flight Plan” looks like at the local level.
March 2024 – Capital Roots
Mike DellaRocco and Matt Schueler, Community Engagement Manager and Director of Education and Job Development of Capital Roots, focused on the green initiatives of Capital Roots. They highlighted the Urban Grow Center with its solar array, green roof, industrial composter, and expanded food hub.
February 2024 – Jessecology Eco-Landscaping
Jesse Peters, ecologist, writer, and founder of Jessecology Eco-Landscaping. Jesse showcased some native plants-centered garden and landscaping projects from around the local area and hosted a Q+A.
November 2023 – Capital Region Partnership for Invasive Species Management
Addison Kubik, Education & Outreach Coordinator for the Capital Region Partnership for Invasive Species Management (PRISM). Watch for a discussion on Invasive Species, The PRISMs, and some things you can do to prevent the spread of invasive species.
October 2023 – Schenectady Environmental Education Center
Tom Carey, president of the Upper Union Neighborhood Association, spoke on the project he spearheaded to renovate the old, abandoned Casino Building into an environmental education hub.
May 2023 – ‘Natural Areas of Schoharie County’
Peter Tobiessen, a retired Union College Biology Professor, recently published ECOS’ “Natural Areas of Schoharie County.”
March 2023: Gamebird Research and Management
Josh Stiller, Wildlife Biologist for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, recorded presentation.
February 2023: Strawberry Fields Nature Preserve
Jeff Leon, Owner and Steward of Strawberry Fields Nature Preserve, recorded presentation:
Schenectady County Soil & Water Conservation District
Nick Klemczak, Director of Schenectady County Soil & Water Conservation District, recorded presentation:
Betsy Henry, principal scientist at Anchor QEA, Co-founder of Schenectady Greenmarket, leader of ReTree Schenectady, recorded presentation:
Bob Wick, wilderness manager and landscape photographer, recorded presentation:
Don Rittner, local historian/environmentalist/
Rachel Carson Dinner speaker, Mark Lowry’s recorded presentation:
David Gibson, managing partner, Adirondack Wild: Friends of the Forest Preserve, recorded presentation:
Maryam Ramjohn and Jacob Abbott from Kelly Adirondack Center, recorded presentation:
Maryam’s website: https://digitalcollections.union.edu/s/student-site-ramjohnm/page/welcome
Jacob’s website: https://uploads.knightlab.com/storymapjs/9293e4e5c5c802aeaebed94753a4d8b4/adirondack-dams-proof-of-concept/index.html
Jeff Leon, owner and steward of Strawberry Fields discusses his road to Netzero, recorded presentation
Tom Twente – Grow Amsterdam – recording of his presentation on composting
Sarah Walsh – MHLC – discussion of grant and impact on our local environment
Rachel Carson Dinner 2021 – Guest Speaker – Darwin Roosa
Meeting Recording:
Zoom Recording
Access Passcode: q7^moKrn
Roy Thornton – Grassland Birds and Capped Landfills
Additional resources:
https://www.grasslandbirdtrust.org/conservation/land-management-practices
January 2022 – Millie Gittinger – Appalachian Trail Adventure
February 2022 – Scott Stoner and Denise Hackert-Stoner – Backyard Birds
Additional Resources:To see more of their work or to purchase prints, please visit them at www.naturelogues.com or look for Naturelogues on Facebook, or contact them at [email protected]
Handout for Attracting Birds updated 2-10-22 SJS
March 2022 – Corrine Hansch and Matthew Leon, Lovin’ Mama Farm Farming for the Future – Regenerating land, climate & community health