Harwood Lecture Series
The Harwood Lecture series was established in 1992 in honor of Michael Harwood, one of the founders of the Washington Environmental Council. Originally a biennial program, lectures are now held on relevant environmental topics more frequently and are open to the public at no charge.
Upcoming lectures
Jay Collins
“Takeaways from COP 28: What Happened and Where do We Go From Here?”
Thursday, December 14th, 2023
The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Jay Collins is Vice Chairman of Citi and an Adjunct Professor of Sustainability at Georgetown University. He was also the Climate Finance Advisor to COP 27 and has been a resident of New Preston for 27 years. In our winter Harwood lecture, Jay will share his views and insights after two weeks of on-the-ground meetings in Dubai with world leaders at COP 28. Refreshments will be served.
Past Lecturers
2023
Becker & Seth Low
Talk on Frederick Gunn School Green Initiatives and Sustainable Architecture
2022
Jennifer Heaton-Jones
“Talking Trash” a lecture on how to manage waste by the Executive Director of regional, governmental, solid waste and recycling authority, HRRA.
2019
Hugh Rogers
“Whose Water is it?” a lecture on CT’s water system
2015
Dr. George Garland
"The Road to Paris and Beyond" - a Lecture on Climate Change
Reverend Canon Sally Bingham
"Amplifying Pope Francis' Encyclical on Caring for Our Common Home"
Laura Rissolo
Landscape Designer - "Habitat for Pollinating Insects"
2014
Nick Mancini
Certified Master Gardener, Author, Lecturer - “Organic Gardening - Vegetables and Flowers"
2013
Dr. William H. Schlesinger
President of the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies - "Global Climate Change: Causes, Impacts and Things You Can Do"
2012
Alex Prud'homme
Author, Lecturer - The Ripple Effect: The Fate of Freshwater in the Twenty-First Century
2011
Paul Tukey
Author, Filmaker, Lecturer - Global Warming and Your Garden
2010
Bill McKibben
Author, Educator & Environmentalist - Climate Change
Jim Serach
Science Teacher, Lecturer - Student Involvement in Environment
Carol Gracie
Author - Spring Wildflowers of the Northeast
Rose Hiskes
Diagnostician and Horticulturist - Asian Longhorn Beetle
2009
John Turenne
Executive Chef - Sustainable Food
2008
Peter Picone
Author, Lecturer - Native Plants for Wildlife
Mark Biedron
Founder, The Willow School - "LEED" School Construction
2007
John Maxwell
Managing Director, Parker Global Strategies
Keri Enright
Director, Smart Power - Alternative Energy: Global Issues & Local Action
2006
Donna Ellis
UConn Extension Program - Invasive Plant Control
Andrew Roraback
CT State Senator - WEC's 35th Anniversary
2005
Dr. Michael Klemens
Herpetologist - Biodiversity in CT
Robert Crelin
Author - Dark Skies : Light Pollution
2003
Richard Blumenthal
CT Attorney General - State Environmental Issues
2002
Michael Pollan
Author, Environmentalist - The Botany of Desire
2000
Dr. Warren Leon
Ex. Director, Sustainable Energy Association - The Consumers Guide to Effective Environmental Choices
1998
Russell Brenneman
President, Conn. Forest & Park Association
David Sutherland
Nature Conservancy
1997
Marcy Benstock
Ex. Director, Clean Air Campaign - What An Individual Can Do
1995
Dr. Barry Commoner
Author, Environmentalist - The State of the Environment & What We Can Do About It
1993
Jake Page
Editor, Natural History Magazine - Think Locally, Act Globally
1992
Madeleine Kunin
Governor of Vermont - A New Environmental Agenda