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Moth Mystique: Illuminating the Dark Side of Winged Wonders with Conservation Photographer Carla Rhodes
July 20, 2023 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
In anticipation of National Moth Week*, Carla Rhodes, a wildlife conservation photographer and moth enthusiast, will give a presentation all about moths: what mothing is, how to do it, why moths are important, and what moths you might see in your own backyard!
Carla will go over the basic mothing setup anyone can make with a simple sheet and light, as well as other alternatives for attracting and observing moths on your own. Carla will also show some of the phenomenal up-close photos she’s captured of moths in her own yard and discuss the variety of host plants these moths use throughout their life cycles. And she’ll, of course, talk about the importance of moths and why they’re just as beautiful as butterflies—if not more beautiful—and far more essential to global pollination.
Carla will speak for 30-45 minutes; the presentation will be followed by a discussion and Q&A.
This is a HYBRID event. The in-person gathering will take place at BEAT’s Environmental Leadership & Education Center and begin around 5:45 PM. BEAT will provide complimentary light snacks and finger foods for in-person attendees, and beer and wine will be available for purchase. At this time, BEAT’s Center is not fully accessible, and stairs are necessary to get to the bathroom and presentation area. We’re sincerely sorry for any inconvenience this might cause, and our building is currently under renovation to make it fully accessible.
Click here to RSVP for in-person.
DATE: Thursday, July 20
TIME: 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM »in-person begins around 5:45 PM«
LOCATION: BEAT’s Environmental Leadership & Education Center, 20 Chapel St, Pittsfield & Online via Zoom
The presentation and Zoom meeting will start at 6:30 PM. You MUST register to virtually attend. Click here to register for online participation.
* Every year, during the last week of July, National Moth Week celebrates the beauty, life cycles, habitats, and importance of moths and helps spread awareness of these essential insects whose global populations are rapidly declining. People of all ages and abilities are encouraged to learn about, observe, and document moths in their backyards, parks, and neighborhoods.
This is one of two events BEAT is organizing to help spread awareness and admiration of moths this July. We’re also hosting a Lightsheet and Mothing Demo at Flat Brook WMA on Saturday, July 29. Click here to learn more about that event.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Conservation photographer Carla Rhodes tells visual tales of the natural world, focusing on the overlooked and misunderstood. From endangered storks to everyday moths, her work is a testament to the beauty found in the unexpected.
Her journey, once rooted in the realms of comedic ventriloquism, now flourishes in the wild, capturing images that inspire and educate. Skillfully morphing her narrative craft from the stages’ spotlight to the boundless theater of the wilderness, she is truly a wild storyteller, unveiling the hidden narratives of the unsung heroes of the wild.
Published in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, and more, Carla’s images challenge perspective while encouraging a deep appreciation of our shared environment.
In 2021, she began photographing moths in anticipation of National Moth Week. The overall goal of her self-produced project was to raise awareness for moths, draw community scientists, and bring attention to National Moth Week. This project resulted in recognition from Smithsonian Magazine, The Guardian, and National Geographic.
Learn more about Carla and her work at www.carlarhodes.com.
