Age of Nature Screening & Events

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This screening took place on October 13, 2020 at 7 pm ET. Watch the archived panel discussion. 

 

WSKG and Science Pub celebrated the three-part series The Age of Nature with a virtual screening and panel discussion focused on nature and conservation. Our panel will take a look at nature and the outdoors while examining how we balance human growth and conservation.

Each episode will focus on three stories that take us beyond the traditional natural history series to answer three questions:

  • What have our past mistakes taught us about nature?
  • How is our understanding of nature changing the way we live?
  • As the challenges we face mount, where are we heading next?

The Age of Nature brings together wildlife filmmaking, science, anthropology, and history to shed light on perhaps the biggest story of our time – how an increasing awareness of nature is changing the way we live on earth.

This is a virtual event. RSVP HERE

Guest Speakers:

Elaine Spacher has a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from SUNY Brockport (Brockport, NY) and a Master’s degree in Biology from The College of William and Mary (Williamsburg, VA). Elaine’s studies in college focused on ecology, animal behavior and ornithology, and more specifically, cavity and colonial nesting bird species. Elaine has been interested in environmental issues for over 3 decades. She has worked at several nature centers and museums including Genesee Country Museum’s Nature Center in Mumford, NY and the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News, Virginia. Elaine has been on the Board at Spencer Crest Nature Center in Corning, NY and is currently a Board member of the Chemung County Chamber of Commerce. Elaine has been the Executive Director at Tanglewood Nature Center & Museum in Elmira for the past 17 years.

Ben Mertus is a PhD student in anthropology department at Ohio State University. His research seeks to understand pathways of responsible human co-existence with nonhuman beings in this new epoch that many are calling “the Anthropocene”. He is particularly interested in ecotourism as a driver of environmental sustainability and cultural continuation in postcolonial First Nations communities in Canada.

Jeff Smith has had a lifelong interest in nature and ecology which he’s been able to focus on more intently since retiring from IBM.  Recently that has involved serving as a naturalist and board member for the Waterman Center, working on cataloguing and mapping plants and various invasive species on Waterman properties.  He’s interested in promoting public awareness of nature through photography and the exploration of the Southern Tier’s unique local parks and preserves.

Christopher Audette  is the Executive Director of Waterman Conservation Education Center. He grew up in Vermont where he was seldom NOT waist-deep in muck, lake, or stream.  He studied aquatic ecology at Paul Smith’s College, served in South-Eastern Africa with the U.S. Peace Corps, and loves sharing his knowledge and experience with the Waterman community.

THE AGE OF NATURE is a three-part series that follows the people and animals at the center of this shift. Each episode focuses on three stories that take us far beyond the traditional natural history series to discover nature as a character with its own rules and behavior. Watch The Age of Nature on WSKG at 10:00 PM Wednesdays, October 14 – 28.

#AgeofNaturePBS

Fall Partner Events:

Tanglewood Nature Center.
607-732-6060
Hiking events this fall: 

Waterman Conservation Education Center.

Waterman Center’s Natural History Through The Lens Workshop Series
Do you enjoy documenting the natural beauty of the Southern Tier?  Are you a budding photojournalist keen to focus in on conservation issues?  Sharpen your photo skills while gaining a deeper understanding of your subject matter with the Waterman Center’s Natural History Through The Lens Workshop Series (NHTL).  In addition to affordable workshops instructed by established local wildlife and nature photographers, you gain access to a community of former/fellow students, professional, and amateur photographers who interact on the NHTL Blog and Facebook Group.  We will begin a new series of NHTL workshops in October geared toward deeper understanding of the animals and landscapes we capture in photographs for beginner and intermediate photographers.  Students may participate in one or all virtual sessions and assignments will emphasize storytelling. 

The Waterman Center provides convenient access to beautiful nature trails throughout Broome and Tioga Counties through its network of 6 nature preserves.  Hiking and volunteer opportunities abound close to home at Brick Pond in Owego; Hilton Road Interpretive Site, Apalachin Marsh, and Hiawatha Island in Apalachin; the IBM Glen in Endwell; and the Pettus Hill Preserve in Windsor!  While access to all of our nature preserves including our interpretive center and museum is free to all, we rely heavily on donations from individuals and businesses in the community.  Please visit www.watermancenter.org to learn more about ways to learn, play, volunteer, and give with Waterman!

Did you know the Waterman Center has a nature library with books, activities, and materials that your family can borrow and enjoy in the comfort of your own home?  An online catalog is even coming soon!  Follow us on Facebook or contact librarian@watermancenter.org today for more information!