O.C. Marsh Lecture Hall
, Yale Science Building; 260 Whitney Avenue
Over the last five years Earth endured the highest temperatures it has experienced for thousands, if not millions, of years as a direct result of human activities. Why have so many humans altered their relationship to Nature, especially over the last two centuries, and become destructive to the Earth's environments and species that inhabit it?
W. John Kress’ talk is aimed at helping us regain a relationship and respect for Nature through our connection to trees. Museums, botanical gardens, and universities play an important role in this effort. Topics will include the value of trees, the ecology and evolution of trees, the diversity of trees, and the conservation of trees.
Kress is Distinguished Scientist and Curator Emeritus at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. He formerly served as the Interim Under Secretary for Science at the Smithsonian and Director of Science in the Grand Challenges Consortia.
Kress received his B.A. from Harvard University and his Ph.D. from Duke University, where he studied tropical biology, ethnobotany, evolution, and ecology. He was instrumental in developing the genetic tool known as “DNA barcoding," which allows the accurate identification of plant species using a short, universal segment of DNA sequence.
Yale Science Building; 260 Whitney Avenue