Dear John,
The “month of the pearl” in Finnish, February evokes ice-covered trees that melt and refreeze and melt and freeze over once more, leaving frozen drops dripping off the branches. During this period of hibernation, fall jogs turn into winter walks, and reading outside quickly turns into curling up by the fire with your book. Luckily, you don’t have to slough outside to join us for a Lunch & Learn! We have an incredible lineup of programs this month, so you can have an excuse (or three) to stay warm and cozy with us.
I hope to see you online! — Kathleen |
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Friday, February 2, 12-1 PM: What’s up with the Weather? Examining extremes of the past year and how they relate to climate change
Maine’s climate is getting warmer and wetter, and extreme weather patterns that can bring damaging rainfall or prolonged heat waves are becoming more common. But how does a warming climate produce these extremes? And why has the last year seemed so unusual – summer 2023 ranking 2nd wettest on record after several dry years, global mean temperatures soaring to record highs, and three major storms impacting Maine since December 18?
Join
Dr. Sean Birkel, Maine State Climatologist and Assistant Professor at the University of Maine’s Climate Change Institute and Cooperative Extension, as he explores these questions using data visualization tools developed as part of his work at the University. In this process, Dr. Birkel will provide historical climate context and step through recent examples of extreme weather in Maine paired with the large-scale circulation patterns that facilitated these events.
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Friday, February 9, 12-1 PM:Climate-resilient Maine Farms with Shelley Megquier, Maine Farmland Trust, and Dave Colson, New Leaf Farm
Every five years, our lawmakers in Congress must reauthorize the nation's Farm Bill, an omnibus bill governing policy in areas related to the agricultural sector, including farm income support, food assistance, trade, and more. It takes many months to reach a consensus around such a massive bill, and Congress is behind schedule. While existing programs will continue at the level they were last funded (in 2018), new initiatives like Congresswoman Chellie Pingree's
Agricultural Resilience Act and other climate-smart measures can't be implemented until they are authorized and funded in the next Farm Bill.
Join Shelley Megquier, Policy and Research Director for Maine Farmland Trust, and
Dave Colson, owner of New Leaf Farm and Northeast Region's Farmer Representative to the National Organic Farmers Association, to learn about the policies and programs that are needed to support farmers and protect Maine's farmland in the face of climate change, and what we can do at the state level to address these issues.
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Friday, February 16, 12-1 PM:Every Vote Equal: The National Popular Vote with Will Hayward and Chris Pearson
The National Popular Vote compact is a proposal to ensure a fundamental democratic principle: that the presidential candidate who receives the most votes is the one elected President. This year, the Maine Legislature is considering a bill for Maine to become the 17th state to join the National Popular Vote compact. Join Will Hayward, Advocacy Program Director with the League of Women Voters of Maine, and
Chris Pearson with National Popular Vote for a discussion on why electing the President by popular vote is so important, how the National Popular Vote compact works, and what we can do to get it passed in Maine. |
Friday, February 23, 12-1 PM:
No Lunch & Learn — February School Vacation |
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