2022-23

Climate Change

 

Bring in the Goats!  Farmer Perspectives on Cultural and Environmental Change in Mountain Norway.

Dr. Thea Strand (LUC) and Dr. Michael Wroblewski (Grand Valley State)

March 20, 3:30pm, IES #110

Dr. Strand is Senior Lecturer in Anthropology at Loyola University Chicago. Her primary research  explores  the  relationships  among  dialect  use  and  change,  tourism development, and cultural heritage in rural Valdres, Norway.  Dr. Wroblewski is an Associate Professor and Chair of Anthropology at Grand Valley State University. His recent  book,  Remaking  Kichwa,  addresses  language  revitalization  and  indigenous identity in Amazonian Ecuador. Together, Drs. Strand and Wroblewski have begun working on a new project focused on discourses of changing landscapes, agriculture, tourism, and climate in Valdres’ mountain regions.

 

Community-Centered Conservation: What It Looks Like and Why It Matters

Dr. Abigail Derby Lewis, Chicago Field Museum

February 20, 4pm, Mundelein Center 204

The Keller Science Action Center at the Field Museum advances work to cultivate connection to nature, expand our understanding of ecosystems, and protect remarkable places to benefit local people in the Andes Amazon and Chicago Region. These efforts are rooted in what is called community-centered conservation, which is a partner-driven approach that builds on the cultural heritage and traditional knowledge of local communities to create conservation impact for people and nature. I will share examples and stories of what this type of approach looks like, the critical role Anthropology plays in it, and why it matters for the long-term success of conservation efforts. 

Abigail Derby Lewis is the Director of the Keller Science Action Center, where she leads an interdisciplinary team of scientists and museum professionals to translate museum science into results for conservation and community well-being. Over the past 15 years, Abigail's work as a Senior Conservation Ecologist focused on landscape conservation planning and climate change adaptation for urban nature. She's collaborated closely with universities, non-profits, and foundations to develop resilient, community-centered strategies for urban environmental conservation, with a focus on monarchs and pollinators. She currently serves as Chair of the Illinois Nature Preserve Commission, co-chairs the Action Center's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice Working Group, and from 2011-2018 led the Chicago Wilderness Climate Committee.

 

The speaker series is partially funded by generous donations from alumni and friends of LUC Anthropology. Contributions are greatly appreciated, and may be made here.