The Linnaeus Arboretum at Gustavus Adolphus College will host the 2019 Linnaeus Symposium on Thursday, July 18 as a slate of Minnesota experts explore the topic “The Changing Climate: How Will We Respond?”
After a welcome by Linnaeus Arboretum director Scott Moeller at 1 p.m., professor emeritus Dr. Mark Seeley of the University of Minnesota Department of Soil, Water, and Climate will open the symposium with an overview of climate change in Minnesota. He will be followed by Dr. Lee Frelich, Director of the University of Minnesota Center for Forest Ecology and Institute on the Environment, Deputy Commissioner for the Division of Energy Resources at the Minnesota Department of Commerce Joe Sullivan, and J. Drake Hamilton, who serves as the science policy director at Fresh Energy. Following the 45-minute lectures, which cover topics spanning from tree health to business and policy to citizens’ responses to climate change, Director of the Gustavus Johnson Center for Environmental Innovation Dr. James Dontje will serve as the dinner speaker. An optional tour of the Linnaeus Arboretum will conclude the symposium at 7:30 p.m.
“This Linnaeus Symposium is an opportunity for environmentally-minded people of all walks of life to obtain and share knowledge about important environmental and ecological topics. The conversation around this topic has evolved greatly over the past few decades, but the urgency has only increased,” Moeller said. “This day is about our collective future. I hope attendees use the symposium to learn, to share, to inspire and be inspired.”
To learn more about the Linnaeus Symposium, visit the event website. Tickets ($25 for Linnaeus Arboretum members or $40 for the general public) are still available online at gustavustickets.com or by calling 507-933-7520.
The twinflower (Linnaea borealis) was the favorite plant of Linnaeus Arboretum namesake Carl Linnaeus.
About the Linnaeus Arboretum
Located on the western edge of Gustavus Adolphus College, the 130-acre Linnaeus Arboretum provides the College and community with a living sanctuary of plants and animals for education, recreation, reflection, and stewardship.
The Arboretum features prairies, woodlands, and ponds for exploration and study; more than two miles of trails for running, walking, biking, and skiing; and beautiful gardens and open space for events and gatherings.
Named for 18th-century Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus, the Arboretum was established in 1973 on what had previously been agricultural land. The Arboretum comprises formal gardens and restored natural areas including tall grass prairie, wetlands, coniferous forests, and deciduous woods which represent the biomes present in Minnesota.
The Arboretum is open to all visitors, year-round, during daylight hours. The Arboretum and/or Melva Lind Interpretive Center are available to rent for meetings, reunions, weddings, baby and bridal showers, receptions, and other events. For more information, email arboretum@gustavus.edu or call 507-933-6181.
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Media Contact: Director of Media Relations and Internal Communication Luc Hatlestad
luch@gustavus.edu
507-933-7510