RGS lecture enthrals audience - Our fragile relationship with life on earth
Have you ever wondered how many species of flora and fauna we are losing each day? How many species have actually classified versus the much larger number of those yet to be formally ‘discovered’? Had you ever considered how large museums may only have a small proportion of their collections on display, meaning there may be millions of hidden gems lurking in jars, drawers and cupboards waiting to astound us if they ever were to see the light of day.
These and many other questions were considered on 21st February in the Blake Studio when we were delighted to welcome back on site the East of England branch of the Royal Geographical Society. Our speaker Marc Schlossman delivered a fascinating lecture entitled “Extinction: Our Fragile relationship with life on earth”. This talk formed part of our annual public lecture series held with our partner organisations on the school site.
Marc Schlossman is a multi-award-winning ecologist and author whose work has graced the pages of many illustrious publications such as the New Scientist, Sunday Times, Washington Post etc. He has spent a lifetime pouring over the specimens of the vast, world-famous natural history museum in Chicago, cataloguing and photographing specimens to produce a beautiful new book: Extinction. Packed full of exquisite images (some intensely charismatic; others less glamourous), it details some poignant success stories of creatures brought back from the brink, but many, many others who are fast hurtling towards extinction, and including some who sadly no longer with us. Marc reflected on the devastating role that habitat loss and human activity have played to contribute to the critically endangered status of much of the planet’s precious wildlife. His fascinating talk concluded by highlighting the vitally important role played by museums to collect and classify species as custodians of the natural world, and by spreading an important message of conservation to a younger audience who will be stewards of the planet and its fragile ecosystems for future generations.
A very well informed and engaged audience of RGS members, staff, alumni, parents and friends of Norwich School (including, appropriately, Budge the Cathedral cat) enjoyed a lengthy Q&A session before meeting the speaker over refreshments and book-signing afterwards.
Our next talk in our series of public lectures on site is scheduled for 21st March when we will be pleased to welcome back on site the Norfolk Contemporary Arts Society. Carl Rowe, former Associate Professor and Course Leader of Fine Art at Norwich University of the Arts, will be giving a talk on his visual art starting at 7pm in the Blake Studio at Norwich School. All those with an interest in creative arts are very welcome. See: A talk by Carl Rowe, artist and former Head of Fine Art NUA - n-cas
