Last year, we posted here about an interesting new series of lectures in January, March and April of 2014. It’s the Science of Conservation and Biodiversity in the 21st Century series, from three professors each giving one talk in San Francisco.

According to the email from the Commonwealth Club, the sponsor: “This series of lectures will present a new way of looking at public issues in conservation. The things we’ve assumed as facts often are not. Traditional approaches are losing ground as science illuminates new pathways for framing and achieving conservation goals.”

The first talk (on Conciliation Biology, by Dr Scott Carroll),  was excellent. The room was packed, with standing room only.  We hope to post notes and a link to the presentation on this site when we have permission.

These talks provide important thought leadership that could shift the way San Francisco manages its wild spaces. A good turnout would encourage the Commonwealth Club to have more such talks. Please do attend if you can.

MARCH 24, 2014, 12 NOON: DR. ARTHUR SHAPIRO ON ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES AND TIME

Dr. Arthur M. Shapiro is Distinguished Professor in the Department of Evolution and Ecology, College of Biological Sciences, at UC Davis. He’s speaking on Ecological Communities and the March of Time.

Gulf Fritillary butterfly breeds on non-native passionflower – wikimedia

From the website: “Ecological communities as we know them are similar to freeze-frames from a long movie. Associations among species are very dynamic on millennial scales, as demonstrated by the evidence since deglaciation 15,000 years ago. Coevolution of species occurs locally in geographic mosaics, and can be extremely dynamic as well. Frederic Clements, the father of American community ecology, had a holistic vision. He saw communities as super-organisms. He was wrong.”

Register at: www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2014-03-24/arthur-m-shapiro-ecological-communities-and-march-time

The tickets cost $20 to the general public, FREE for members of the Commonwealth Club, and $7 for students carrying appropriate ID. (We also have some discount codes available; if you wish to attend and are not a Club member, please email us at fk94131@yahoo.com and we’ll send you the code if qualified.)

WEDNESDAY APRIL 9, 12 NOON: DR JOE MCBRIDE ON EUCALYPTUS IN THE BAY AREA

Eucalyptus forest understory on Mt Sutro

Dr. Joe R. McBride is Professor of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning, Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, UC Berkeley. His talk is about The History, Ecology and Future of Eucalyptus Plantations in the Bay Area.

The website says: “McBride will explain the ecology of the eucalyptus forest in the Bay Area. He will discuss its structure, the variety of plants and animals that live within it, its health and the ecological functions it performs. There will be a description of the dynamics within these forest stands (such as whether they are successional or a climax-species that replace themselves over time without human input) and about their invasive potential.”

Register at: www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2014-04-09/joe-r-mcbride-history-ecology-and-future-eucalyptus-plantations-bay-area

The tickets cost $20 to the general public, $8 for members of the Commonwealth Club, and $7 for students carrying appropriate ID. (We also have some discount codes available; if you wish to attend and are not a Club member, please email us at fk94131@yahoo.com and we’ll send you the code if qualified.)

WHERE AND HOW

• All lectures are at the San Francisco Club Office, 595 Market St.
• You can register to attend at the links we gave, or call 415.597.6705