Friends of Wissahickon: Two Free Lectures

Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW) is offering two free lectures at the Chestnut Hill Library this spring. The lectures are about reducing global warming and the disconnection between children and nature.

On April 29, Janet Milkman will present No Child Left Inside. "Children spend less time outdoors now than in any time in history," says Milkman, "a trend could have serious implications for childhood behavioral, physical, and intellectual development." Milkman will lead a discussion of the growing disconnection between children and nature, its causes and implications, and potential local and national solutions. She will also explore what this problem means for the environment and for the Wissahickon. Milkman is President of ERTHNXT, a national non-profit based in Philadelphia that helps children and youth learn about and protect their environment. She is former President and CEO of 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania.

On May 27, Julie Lalo will present Doing Nothing Doesn't Do Anything! Lalo notes that scientists recomend reducing global warming 80% by 2050 to avoid the worst impacts of global warming. "They have set the goal, now we have to set the pace. And each of us has a pace we can set for ourselves."

The lectures are part Friends of Wissachikon's Protect Our Watershed program. Protect Our Watershed aims to resolve erosion problems in the Wissahickon by identifying sources of stormwater runoff, developing educational programs for property owners, and providing conservation easements. Both lectures will take place at the Chestnut Hill Library ( 8711 Germantown Ave. ) at 7:30 p.m. For more information on FOW or the Protect Our Watershed program, visit http://www.fow.org/ or call (215) 247-0417.