By Lloyd Garrison

Norfolk Library last month served as host for the first of several free lectures produced by Great Mountain Forest. The lectures, which continue through early June, are collectively known as The Forest Lyceum.  While some of the events are slated for libraries in neighboring towns, Norfolk Library will host the majority of the events, including two in March.

Having as its meaning both a structure where public events take place as well as an organization that arranges town hall events, the word lyceum fits perfectly as a component of the series title.  Harkening back to a time when small public meetings served as a platform for civil discourse among neighbors, the series of ongoing lectures rely on this same localized exposure to engage area residents. The talks delve into humankind’s interaction and eventual impact on nature. Seeing the forest’s many organisms as part of a greater whole, the lectures will focus on several aspects of man and forest in our modern world.

Paul Barten, executive director of Great Mountain Forest, hosts the lecture series.

This third annual series of open and free lectures and book signings will feature a variety of professionals, each of whom will address aspects that deal directly with man’s coexistence with forest land, everything from stewardship and ecology to history and art.

“The capacity crowds for last year’s lectures happily demonstrated the demand for community gatherings focused on forest ecology, art, history, conservation, and stewardship,” said Dr. Paul Barten, a featured speaker of the series.

The next lecture will be held at Falls Village’s Hunt Library on February 2, with a 4 p.m. reception preceding the 4:30 p.m. talk. Essayist, poet and lecturer David K. Leff will discuss his book, “Hidden In Plain Sight: A Deep Traveler Explores Connecticut”.

The next two lectures will be held at Norfolk Library, with receptions starting at 4 p.m. and the lecture at 4:30 p.m, on March 2 and March 30.  Tim Maguire with the National Park Service in Woodstock, Vermont will be joined by pioneer conservationist George Perkins Marsh for the first event. On March 30, Mark Prezorski of The Olana Partnership in Hudson, New York, will speak about art and the environment.

On April 13, Douglas Library’s one event will highlight Connecticut’s participation in the New England Cottontail Initiative.  Wildlife biologist Judy Wilson will be on hand for a 4 p.m. reception and lecture.

Another lecture is scheduled for both Norfolk Library and Hunt Library. The latter will be held at 2:30 p.m. on May 11. On that same day, at 7:30 p.m., Norfolk will play host for the same lecture, featuring Great Mountain Forest’s Executive Director, Paul Barten and his discussion focused on the Catskill Forest Preserve. Both events are preceded by a reception thirty minutes prior to the lecture.

Finally, on June 1, Norfolk will be host of the final series lecture, featuring a discussion centered on black bears. This event is scheduled to open with a 7 p.m. reception with the lecture to immediately follow.

More information on the lectures, all underwritten by Ackerly Brown, LLP, can be found at www.greatmountainforest.org. For reservations at any of these events, contact Jean Bronson at 860-824-8188.