News and Stories

Topics include wildlife on Madagascar and insight into bee populations

 CINCINNATI, OH (March 1, 2021) — Since 1993, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s Barrows Lecture Series has brought a slate of esteemed naturalists and scientists to Cincinnati to address wildlife issues and global conservation efforts.  This year, with the addition of a virtual option, people all over the world can attend the lectures!

“We’re excited to welcome two guest lecturers this year,” said Cincinnati Zoo director Thane Maynard.  “Dr. Patricia Wright, one of the world’s leading primatologists, will share her extensive knowledge of lemur and wildlife native to Madagascar, and Dr. Olivia Carril will discuss what she’s learned in the 20 years that she’s been studying native bees!”

Limited seats are available for the in-person lectures, which will take place in the Zoo’s Frisch’s Theater.  Tickets are $17 for non-members, $15 for members, and only $5 for virtual attendees.

Lecture Dates/Topics:

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21: DR. PATRICIA WRIGHT

Saving Madagascar: Nature’s Lost Paradise

Dr. Wright is best known for her groundbreaking work with lemurs in Madagascar. In 1986 she discovered and described a new species of lemur, the Golden Bamboo Lemur. For the past 26 years she has carried out long-term behavioral research on the Milne Edward’s Sifaka. In addition to her scientific contributions, Dr. Wright has played a key role in wildlife conservation, spearheading the establishment of Ranomafana National Park in Madagascar in 1991. She founded the Institute for the Conservation of Tropical Environment in 1991, and established the Research Station Centre ValBio in Madagascar, which features the state of the art research facility NamanaBe Hall.

For over 25 years, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden has presented its Wildlife Conservation Award to one of its Barrows Conservation Lecture Series speakers.  Dr. Patricia Wright will be the 2021 recipient of the Cincinnati Zoo Wildlife Conservation Award.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2: DR. OLIVIA CARRIL

To Bee or Not to Bee: Documenting Bee Declines in Dynamic Landscapes

Dr. Carril has been involved in several long-term bee monitoring projects throughout western North America, which harbors nearly three-quarters of the bee species found in the U.S; many of these areas have never been sampled for bees. Her work focuses on the drivers of their diversity and the causes and consequences of decline, even as new species are discovered. She will discuss our current understanding of native bee populations and their health, the challenges researchers are working to overcome, and the importance of their ecosystem services

The Barrows Conservation Lecture Series is made possible by the ongoing support of the family of Winifred & Emil Barrows.