Woodin Colloquium Series

The Howard E. Woodin ES Colloquium Series brings together students, faculty, staff, and members of the community to hear from a broad range of speakers—students, faculty, alumni, and environmental professionals—on conservation and environmental topics.

In addition to helping foster an ES community on campus, students can learn about different environmental careers and develop internship and employment connections. The series takes place Thursdays from 12:40–1:30 p.m. and are free and open to the public.

Contact Lily Hunt at lnhunt@middlebury.edu or (802) 443-5552 for more information.

Spring 2025 Colloquium Schedule

  • Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series

    “Here Comes the Sun” a Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series talk by Bill McKibben, Schumann Distinguished Scholar Environmental Studies.

    McKibben will reflect on the sudden remarkable explosion of renewable energy around the world. The talk will include the climate implications of this development as well as the cultural and artistic meaning of reconnecting humans with the sun.

    Bill McKibben is founder of Third Act, which organizes people over the age of 60 for action on climate and justice.

    Open to the Public

  • Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series

    “How to Love a Forest” a Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series talk by Ethan Tapper, Forester, Author of “How to Love a Forest: The Bittersweet Work of Tending a Changing World.”

    Franklin Environmental Center, The Orchard-Hillcrest 103

    Open to the Public

  • Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series

    In this Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series talk students currently enrolled in ENVS 0401 A Community-Engaged Environmental Studies Practicum with present work from their semester long community-engaged projects.

    Franklin Environmental Center, The Orchard-Hillcrest 103

    Open to the Public

  • Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series

    In this Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series talk students currently enrolled in ENVS 0401 B Community-Engaged Environmental Studies Practicum with present work from their semester long community-engaged projects.

    Franklin Environmental Center, The Orchard-Hillcrest 103

    Open to the Public

Fall 2024 Colloquium Schedule

  • Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series

    Toward a More Holistic Land Ethic: Lessons from Pastoralism, a Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series talk by Helen Whybrow, Author, “The Salt of Stones: A Shepherd’s World, A Shepherd’s Mind.”

    Franklin Environmental Center, The Orchard-Hillcrest 103

    Open to the Public

  • Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series

    The Guarantees: Building an Inclusive Economy, a Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series talk by Natalie Foster, Economic Security Project.

    Franklin Environmental Center, The Orchard-Hillcrest 103

    Open to the Public

  • Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series

    Restoration through Dam Removal and River Reconnection - A Nature Based Approach to Community Resilience, a Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series talk by Karina Dailey, Vermont Natural Resources Council.

    Franklin Environmental Center, The Orchard-Hillcrest 103

    Open to the Public

  • Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series

    Environmental Studies Core Conversations: “Contingency and Complexity” a Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series talk featuring Middlebury College Professors:
    Rebecca Gould, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies;
    Christopher Klyza, Robert ’35 and Helen ’38 Stafford Professor in Public Policy, Professor of Political Science and Environmental Studies; 
    Peter Ryan, Professor of Earth and Climate Sciences and Environmental Studies.

    Franklin Environmental Center, The Orchard-Hillcrest 103

    Open to the Public

  • Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series

    The Precarious State of Moose in Vermont and the Challenges of Managing Wildlife Under Climate Change, a Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series talk by Jed Murdoch, Wildlife and Fisheries Biology Program, University of Vermont.

    Franklin Environmental Center, The Orchard-Hillcrest 103

    Open to the Public

Spring 2024 Colloquium Schedule

  • Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series

    “The Intersection of Disability and Climate Change” by David Liebmann ‘91, 2021 Sustainability Fellow, Harvard Graduate School of Education.

    Climate change is an existential threat. But for people living with a disability — an estimated 15% of the global population — the threat, compounded by discrimination, marginalization, and other pre-existing inequalities, is even greater. This colloquium will weave together personal and professional stories with a call to action that brings this challenge into focus.

    Franklin Environmental Center, The Orchard-Hillcrest 103

    Open to the Public

  • Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series: Climate Change: Our Response as Artists

    This panel discussion features performing artists from Small Island Big Song to discuss the impacts of climate change and explore how the arts can influence our relationship with the environment. Small Island Big Song is a collaborative multi-platform project uniting indigenous musicians across the Pacific and Indian Oceans through song in the face of climate change and cultural loss.

    Moderator: BaoBao Chen (Taiwan), Producer/Manager, Small Island Big Song

    Franklin Environmental Center, The Orchard-Hillcrest 103

    Open to the Public

  • Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series

    Core Conversations: Uncertainty
    Mez Baker-Medard, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, Middlebury College
    Kathryn Morse, John C. Elder Professor of Environmental Studies and Professor of History, Middlebury College
    Alexis Mychajliw, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies and Biology, Middlebury College

    Franklin Environmental Center, The Orchard-Hillcrest 103

    Open to the Public

  • Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series:

    “Using GIS and Satellite Data to Study Climate, Environment and Social Determinants of Health” by Kevin Lane, Assistant Professor of Environmental Health at Boston University School of Public Health, Interim Director of Environmental Health Doctoral Program, and Chief Data Officer – Center for Climate Health.

    Franklin Environmental Center, The Orchard-Hillcrest 103

    Open to the Public

  • Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series

    “The Rise of a Movement: How Young Activists Transformed Climate Politics” by Nick Engelfried, author of Movement Makers: How Young Activists Upended the Politics of Climate Change.

    Franklin Environmental Center, The Orchard-Hillcrest 103

    Open to the Public

Fall 2023 Colloquium Schedule

  • Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series talk by Megan McKenna

    “Listening to a changing world: what soundscapes can teach us” an Environmental Studies Colloquium Series talk by Megan McKenna, Academic Director of Study Away at Monterey, including California Coast and Climate Semester, Middlebury Institute of International Studies. Senior Data Scientist, affiliate with NOAA National Center for Environmental Information.

    Franklin Environmental Center, The Orchard-Hillcrest 103

    Open to the Public

  • Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series: The Texture of Landscape

    “The Texture of Landscape” Environmental Studies Colloquium Series talk by Nancy Winship Milliken, Environmental Artist.

    What is Celebratory Ecology? How do we memorialize a global event, such as climate change, that seemingly has no end? Where are the nature-centric monuments? Nancy shares her open studio approach that holds these questions at the center of her practice.

    Franklin Environmental Center, The Orchard-Hillcrest 103

    Open to the Public

  • Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series

    ENVS 0401 A Community Engaged Practicum Student Presentations: Inclusive Paths Forward: Navigating a Sustainable Decarbonized Future for All

    Franklin Environmental Center, The Orchard-Hillcrest 103

    Open to the Public

Spring 2023 Colloquium Schedule

  • Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series

    “Defending Conserved Land: The Challenge of Data Centers and Energy Infrastructure” by Christopher G. Miller, President, The Piedmont Environmental Council.

    Franklin Environmental Center, The Orchard-Hillcrest 103

    Open to the Public

  • Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series

    MIDD-ES CORE PANEL DISCUSSION: Restoration

    Mez Baker-Medard, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies
    Kathryn Morse, John C. Elder Professor of Environmental Studies, and
    Professor of History
    Alexis Mychajliw, Assistant Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies

    Franklin Environmental Center, The Orchard-Hillcrest 103

    Open to the Public

  • Image of a man wearing a white shirt

    Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series

    “The Progress Illusion: Reclaiming Our Future from the Fairytale of Economics” by Jon D. Erickson, Blittersdorf Professor of Sustainability Science and Policy, University of Vermont.

    Franklin Environmental Center, The Orchard-Hillcrest 103

    Open to the Public

  • Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series

    “Building a Soccer Club driven by Environmental Justice” by Sam Glickman & Patrick Infurna, Co-founders of Vermont Green FC, and Markus Gerke, Visiting Scholar, Department of Sociology, Middlebury College.

    Franklin Environmental Center, The Orchard-Hillcrest 103

    Open to the Public

  • Image of a woman wearing a pink shirt

    Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series

    “Climate Theatre: Stories of Kinship, Community, and Climate Justice” by Theresa May, Faculty of Theatre, Environment and Indigenous Studies at the University of Oregon, and Artistic Director of the EMOS Ecodrama Playwrights Festival.

    Franklin Environmental Center, The Orchard-Hillcrest 103

    Open to the Public

  • Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series

    “Highways and Habitats – Road Ecology and Habitat Connectivity in Vermont” by Chris Slesar, Environmental Resources Coordinator, Vermont Agency of Transportation.

    Franklin Environmental Center, The Orchard-Hillcrest 103

    Open to the Public

  • Image of a man in front of a horizon

    Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series

    “Empire of My Fireflies” by Ibiyinka Olufemi Alao, First-Place Winner of the United Nations International Art Competition and Nigeria’s Arts Ambassador to the United Nations and United States.

    Franklin Environmental Center, The Orchard-Hillcrest 103

    Open to the Public

  • Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series

    ENVS 0401 A Community Engaged Practicum Student Presentations: How Vermont’s Environmental Justice Act informs equitable pathways for addressing community climate, energy, and health needs.

    Franklin Environmental Center, The Orchard-Hillcrest 103

    Open to the Public

  • Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series

    ENVS 0401 B Community Engaged Practicum Student Presentations: Cultivating imagination and creativity in the face of intractable environmental challenges.

    Franklin Environmental Center, The Orchard-Hillcrest 103

    Open to the Public

Spring 2022 Colloquium Schedule

  • Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series

    “The Climate Action Landscape in Vermont: The Climate Council, Legislature, and the Grassroots” by Johanna Miller, Energy and Climate Program Director at the Vermont Natural Resources Council.

    Franklin Environmental Center, The Orchard-Hillcrest 103

    Closed to the Public

  • Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series

    “Toxicology and Public Health in Vermont: PCB testing in schools” by Sarah Vose, PhD, State Toxicologist, Vermont Department of Health.

    Franklin Environmental Center, The Orchard-Hillcrest 103

    Closed to the Public

  • Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series

    ENVS 0401 A Community Engaged Practicum Student Presentations: Environmental health disparities and climate vulnerability in Vermont.

    Offered both in-person and virtually. To join virtually, please use this Zoom link (Password: 050427).

    Franklin Environmental Center, The Orchard-Hillcrest 103

    Open to the Public

  • Howard E. Woodin Environmental Studies Colloquium Series

    ENVS 0401 B Community Engaged Practicum Student Presentations: Social and environmental justice in the built environment.

    Offered both in-person and virtually. To join virtually, please use this Zoom link (Password: 050427).

    Franklin Environmental Center, The Orchard-Hillcrest 103

    Open to the Public

Program in Environmental Studies

Franklin Environmental Center at Hillcrest
Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT 05753

Lily Hunt, Coordinator

Franklin Environmental Center at Hillcrest 214

(802) 443-5552

lnhunt@middlebury.edu

Christopher Klyza, Program Director

Franklin Environmental Center at Hillcrest 206

(802) 443-5309

klyza@middlebury.edu