How our natural world is reacting to climate change

As a New England resident, you may have noticed reports that climate change is starting to limit maple syrup production, while pushing the breeding grounds for the American lobster further north. From a consumer dining standpoint, these trends may or may not be troubling news. Such observed disruptions in nature and wildlife habitat, though, are part of a bigger story.

For the 2019 annual meeting program of the Hingham Land Conservation Trust, a panel of experts from the area will spotlight climate change factors already impacting local meadows, forests and bodies of water, and what that means for our native insects, birds, fish and wildlife. Among the topics likely to be discussed: What is happening to spawning grounds, nesting areas, reliable food sources, migration patterns, and predator/prey relationships.

Panelists for the program, to be introduced and moderated by HLCT board member Don Kidston, include:

• Jon Atwood, Ph.D., Ornithologist and Conservation Biologist; Director of Bird Conservation, Mass Audubon.
• Sara P. Grady, Ph.D., South Shore Regional Coordinator for the Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Program and Watershed Ecologist at the North and South Rivers Watershed Association.
• Zak Mertz, M.S., Executive Director, Cape Cod Wildlife Center and Assistant Director, New England Wildlife Center. (Zak also is a member of the HLCT board.)

WHEN/WHERE:

• Thursday April 25th
• Whiton Room of the Hingham Public Library.
• Doors will open at 6:30 PM, and the board chair will open the annual meeting ~ 7 pm.
• All are welcome to this free-of-charge event.

The evening’s program will begin following a brief business meeting to introduce and vote on the HLCT slate of Directors for 2019.

You can learn more about the Hingham Land Conservation Trust at hinghamlandtrust.org.

Submitted by Eileen McIntyre, Chair, Board of Trustees, Hingham Land Conservation Trust