Eager to embark on a life-long learning adventure at MML? From October 2024 (already happened) to May/June 2025 (final program details pending), we will be sponsoring a pilot “Lunch & Learn” series, generally on Tuesday from either 11 am-noon or noon-1pm, depending on speaker availability.
The topic of this academic year, if you will, is “A Deep Dive into Nature,” covering a wide range of topics: from ethical seaweed harvesting to foraging for fungi and forest bathing, among others.
The first program we hosted was in October. Past presenter, Nick Lund from the Maine Audubon Society based in Falmouth, came last month to speak about the state of native Maine birds. Don’t worry if you missed it. We will almost certainly have him back next year.
Coming up! Mark your calendars for…:
- Maine Seaweeds: History and Today – Tuesday, November 12th at 11am
- Presenter: Bonnie Tobey from the Maine Seaweed Council
- Presentation about cetaceans and other marine mammals (title TBA) – Tuesday, January 14th at 11am
- Presenter: TBA from the Marine Mammals of Maine (MMoME)
- Foraging for Edible Mushrooms: Starting with a Foolproof Few for your Area – Tuesday, February 11th at 11am
- Presenter: Greg Marley (check out his book)
- A discussion about climate conservation (title TBA) – Tuesday, March 4th at 11am
- Presenter: Sue Inches (check out her book)
- An Introduction to Forest Bathing – Tuesday, April 1st (no joke!) at 12pm/noon
- Presenter: Jeanne Christie from Connect to Wilderness
There are other programs in the works…stay tuned for more details. Also, don’t be alarmed if any of the programs listed above change as this series continues to evolve. Feel free to reach out to Courtney (ckleftis@yarmouthlibrary.org) with any questions.
FYI: If you plan to attend any of these programs, make sure to bring your own lunch!
See below a short suggested bibliography to whet your appetite for this ongoing series! Also some recommended educational podcast episodes from one of Courtney’s favorite science podcasts (Ologies):
- Critical Ecology (SOCIAL SYSTEMS + ENVIRONMENT) with Dr. Suzanne Pierre
- Delphinology (DOLPHINS) with Dr. Justin Gregg (no whales…yet!)
- Dendrology (TREES) with J. Casey Clapp (no forest bathing…)
- Mycology (MUSHROOMS) with Dr. Tom Volk
- Ornithology (BIRDS) with James Maley
| Title (pub. year) | Author | Quick Overview | Call # |
| BIRDS/BIRDING | |||
| The Birds that Audubon Missed: Discovery and Desire in the American Wilderness (2024) | Kaufman, Kenn | Well-researched, accessible biography of Audubon himself and his competitors. Is jam-packed with fascinating info. about birds and includes illustrations. | 598.097 KAU |
| Slow Birding: The Art and Science of Enjoying the Birds in Your Own Backyard (2022) | Strassmann, Joan | A field guide by an evolutionary biologist focusing not on “exotic” species, but instead on common birds you’ll likely encounter in your backyard. Evocative writing covering his own avian encounters. | 598.0723 STR |
| SEAWEED | |||
| Eat Like a Fish: My Adventures as a Fisherman Turned Restorative Ocean Farmer (2019) | Smith, Bren | An inspiring, candid, conversational memoir (meets nature writing) by a Newfoundland-based commercial fisherman turned proponent of sea-based agriculture: i.e.: seaweed harvesting! | 338.3714 SMI |
| Superfood Seagreens: A Guide to Cooking with Power-Packed Seaweed (2016) | Seaver, Barton | Learn how to incorporate seaweed into 75+ recipes: from juices and smoothies to pasta dishes and savory stews. | 641.303 SEA |
| CETACEANS/MAINE MARINE MAMMALS | |||
| The Cultural Lives of Whales and Dolphins (2015) | Whitehead, Hal & Luke Rendell | Don’t let this rather dense, scholarly tome exploring the rich cultural lives of cetaceans scare you off…Written by a Nova Scotia-based professor and marine biologist. It is full of fascinating facts and theories about cetacean culture. | 7 Minerva copies |
| Spying on Whales: The Past, Present, and Future of Earth’s Most Awesome Creature (2018) | Pyenson, Nick | A more accessible book about whales than the one mentioned above. (A fantastic counterpart!) The writer works at the Smithsonian as a curator of marine mammal fossils. | 599.5 PYE |
| FUNGI & FORAGING | |||
| Chanterelle Dreams, Amanita Nightmares: The Love, Lore, and Mystique of Mushrooms (2010) | Marley, Greg A. (one of our presenters!!!!) | Learn how to forage for edible fungi (and how to distinguish them from their deadly/poisonous cousins) by reading this fantastic, accessible book by a Maine author and amateur mycologist. Includes recipes! | 579.6 MAR |
| In Search of Mycotopia: Citizen Science, Fungi Fanatics, and the Untapped Potential of Mushrooms (2021) | Bierend, Doug | Dive into the fascinating world of fungi in this book by science writer/journalist, Doug Bierend. This accessible book tackles this phenomenon from a wide range of perspectives from around the globe. | 579.5 BIE |
| CLIMATE CONSERVATION/
CLIMATE CHANGE |
|||
| Advocating for the Environment: How to Gather Your Power and Take Action (2021) | Inches, Sue (one of our presenters!!!!) | A practical solutions-focused guide to navigating the ongoing climate crisis by a local author and environmental activist. | 363.7 INC |
| The Climate Book (2023) | Thunberg, Greta | A persuasive and expertly written compilation of a wide range of experts’ thoughts on how to address the climate crisis. Also an impassioned manifesto for environmental justice from an inspired young mind. | 363.7387 THU |
| FOREST BATHING/THE WISDOM OF TREES | |||
| The Heartbeat of Trees: Embracing Our Ancient Bond with Forests and Nature (2021) | Wohlleben, Peter (in trans.) | A renowned German forest scientist and writer’s philosophical take on the undying connection between humanity and trees even in our technological age, increasingly alienated from nature. In translation from the original German. | 304.2 WOH |
| Your Guide to Forest Bathing: Experience the Healing Power of Nature (2018) | Clifford, M. Amos | Written by the founder of the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT), this book, inspired by Buddhist principles, explores the profound healing benefits of the historically Japanese practice of forest bathing. | 615.8515 CLI |
Happy November!
-Courtney
