- This event has passed.
Floodlights and Fireflies: Environmental Sustainability Starts in your Front Yard
MAPN PRESENTATION: Impacts of Artificial Light on Insects
Presenter: Dr. Avalon Owens, Rowland Institute at Harvard
Fee: Sign-Up is Free & Open to All
Insect populations around the world are declining rapidly. But why? While habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change all have something to do with it, Dr. Avalon Owens shows in this talk that light pollution is another important— but too often overlooked— bringer of the insect apocalypse. Light pollution interferes with the development, movement, foraging, courtship, and reproduction of diverse insect species, including many that we know and love to see in our gardens. Fortunately, light pollution can be cheaply, easily, and instantly eliminated. Doing so will help ensure that we live in harmony with our insect friends and neighbors for generations to come.
Avalon received her Ph.D. in Biology from Tufts University in spring 2022, where she studied the impact of artificial light on bioluminescent fireflies. She also holds a B.A. in Integrative Biology from Harvard University and an M.S. in Entomology from National Taiwan University.
The Massachusetts Pollinator Network hosts free monthly presentations by experts in a wide range of topics related to pollinators and how to support them. This month, MAPN is pleased to welcome Dr. Avalon Owens, who will speak about the impacts of artificial light on insects and what it means for insect conservation. Dr. Owens will also share why insect conservation is important and how we can help.
DATE: Tuesday, January 28
TIME: 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM
LOCATION: Online via Zoom
