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When:
April 12, 2023 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
2023-04-12T18:30:00-04:00
2023-04-12T20:00:00-04:00
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Communities serious about creating a resilient future need to include strategies for reversing the critical loss of biodiversity. Why is biodiversity so important, what are the threats it faces, and what can we do? In this talk Peggy MacLeod describes successful, collaborative approaches to reversing biodiversity loss while addressing the urgency of the climate crisis. Learn about a movement across Massachusetts to start projects that expand pollinator habitat using important native trees, shrubs, and plants. Local Easthampton City Councilor, Owen Zaret, will share the progress he’s made to encourage native pollinator plantings on municipal property and to apply for “Bee City USA” status for the City.
Presenter Bios:
Peggy MacLeod – After a 30 year career promoting clean energy and green building, Peggy MacLeod co-founded Western Mass Pollinator Networks and more recently the Massachusetts Pollinator Network. Peggy’s passion is educating the public about biodiversity loss and stimulating local communities to build hopeful, collaborative solutions; for example, encouraging towns and residents to greatly expand the use of native trees, shrubs, and flowers to form pollinator pathways.
Owen Zaret – Owen is an Easthampton resident of 22 years. He is currently in his third term as a city councilor at-large for the city. He has particular interest in biodiversity, ecology, and environmental sustainablity. He was the sponsor of the city’s single use plastics ordinance, which went into effect in 2022. He is currently pursuing policies that would make the city an official Xerxes Society Bee City. Owen is involved in clean up events with the Easthampton Beautification team, and started a campaign to collect nip liquor bottles, of which the city has collected nearly 12,500. He is a full time health care provider and enjoys hiking, singing, cooking, and time with his family, dog, and cat in his spare time.