As Wellesley grapples with the competing demands of housing development and environmental preservation, the Wellesley Conservation Land Trust (WCLT) is stepping forward to provide a science-backed perspective on the vital role of our local ecosystem. The community is invited to the Wellesley Free Library on Thursday, May 21, 7pm-8:30pm, for a deep dive into the complex history and uncertain future of New England’s woodlands.
The featured speaker, Jonathan Thompson, PhD, Director of the Harvard Forest in Petersham, MA, will present “The Role of Forests in Decarbonization: Land-Use Tradeoffs for Net Zero”. Dr. Thompson’s research focuses on the intricate interactions between biological, physical, and human systems that have shaped our region since the post-colonial period.
This event is free and open to the public.
Why this matters locally
Wellesley’s landscape is currently at a crossroads. While approximately 49% of the town remains forested, much of that land is fragmented—consisting of narrow strips of trees between residential properties rather than contiguous ecological blocks. Furthermore, nearly 82% of Wellesley’s land is considered unprotected, leaving it vulnerable to the “local forces” of land-use change that Dr. Thompson will address.
The lecture is co-sponsored by the Wellesley Public Library, the Natural Resources Commission (NRC), and Sustainable Wellesley. Attendees can expect to learn how New England’s forests have evolved and what specific land-use tradeoffs may be necessary to ensure they continue to serve as a critical defense against climate change.
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