Lunchtime Lectures
Tuesdays at 12:30 pm - Smith Wilkes Hall
Week 1
"On Stepping Up and Being Bold: Defending Science and Making Progress in the Current Climate"
Tuesday, June 30th
12:30 PM at Smith Wilkes Hall
Gretchen Goldman
Union of Concerned Scientists
Gretchen Goldman is an environmental engineer and science policy leader serving as president and CEO of Union of Concerned Scientists. Previously, she held senior roles in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the U.S. Department of Transportation, where she worked on climate policy, environmental justice, scientific integrity, and transportation decarbonization. Earlier in her career, she spent more than a decade at UCS advancing evidence-based policymaking and climate advocacy. Goldman holds degrees from Georgia Institute of Technology and Cornell University and is widely recognized for her leadership at the intersection of science, policy, and climate action.
Week 2
"Naturalism, Not Nativism"
Tuesday, July 7th
12:30 PM at Smith Wilkes Hall
Adrian Higgins
Washington Post
Adrian Higgins is a longtime gardening journalist, author, and landscape design expert best known for his work as a gardening columnist for The Washington Post, where he wrote about horticulture, landscape architecture, and environmental topics for more than two decades. Originally from England, Higgins began his journalism career in the 1970s before specializing in gardening and design writing in the late 1980s. He joined The Washington Post in 1994 and authored several garden books while becoming a respected voice on sustainable gardening, plants, and the connection between landscapes and everyday life.
Week 3
"Architecture of the 2026 House and Garden Tour"
Tuesday, July 14th
12:30 PM at Smith Wilkes Hall
Bob Jeffrey
Week 4
"Decision-making in the Age of Plastic"
Tuesday, July 21st
12:30 PM at Smith Wilkes Hall
Rachael Zoe Miller
Scientist and National Geographic Explorer
​Rachael Zoe Miller is a scientist, inventor, and National Geographic Society Explorer focused on developing innovative technologies to address global water and environmental challenges. She is the founder of CoraCora, where she leads efforts to create sustainable water-generation systems inspired by nature and biomimicry. Miller’s work combines engineering, climate science, and social impact to improve access to clean water in vulnerable communities, and she is widely recognized for advancing practical solutions at the intersection of environmental resilience, technology, and conservation.
Week 5
"Delivering large-scale solutions to climate and environmental problems worldwide"
Tuesday, July 28th
12:30 PM at Smith Wilkes Hall
Todd Paglia
Stand Earth
Todd Paglia is the executive director of Stand Earth, an international environmental nonprofit focused on climate action, corporate accountability, and protecting forests and communities from fossil fuel expansion. A longtime environmental advocate and strategist, Paglia has led campaigns targeting major industries and financial institutions to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy and advance environmental justice. Under his leadership, Stand.earth has become known for high-impact advocacy on issues including sustainable supply chains, clean transportation, and fossil fuel divestment.
Week 6
"Fruiting Bodies and Big Ideas: A Citizen Science Adventure"
Tuesday, August 4th
12:30 PM at Smith Wilkes Hall
Sigrid Jakob
Strategist and Mycologist
Sigrid Jakob is a strategist, mycologist, and interdisciplinary thinker whose work explores the connections between ecology, systems change, and regenerative futures. Drawing on expertise in fungi, biodiversity, and organizational strategy, Jakob collaborates across science, design, and sustainability sectors to develop innovative approaches to environmental resilience and circular systems. Her work often bridges scientific research with practical applications, helping organizations and communities rethink relationships between human systems and the natural world through the lens of mycology and ecological intelligence.
Week 7
"Wild Seeds in a Warming World"
Tuesday, August 11th
12:30 PM at Smith Wilkes Hall
Jessamine Finch
Atlanta Botanical Garden
Jessamine Finch is a horticulturist and plant expert at Atlanta Botanical Garden, where she specializes in plant conservation, garden curation, and public education focused on biodiversity and sustainable horticulture. Her work combines scientific knowledge with hands-on cultivation practices to support botanical research, inspire environmental stewardship, and connect visitors with the importance of plants in healthy ecosystems. Finch is recognized for her expertise in garden design, rare and native plant collections, and engaging community outreach that promotes conservation through horticulture.
Week 8
"Our Changing Menu: Climate Change and the Foods We Love and Need"
Tuesday, August 18th
12:30 PM at Smith Wilkes Hall
Michael Hoffman
Cornell University
Michael Hoffman is an entomologist, educator, and professor emeritus at Cornell University recognized for his work in integrated pest management, sustainable agriculture, and public science education. Over the course of his career, Hoffman led research and outreach programs focused on environmentally responsible pest control and agricultural sustainability while helping translate scientific knowledge for farmers, policymakers, and the public. He is also known for his leadership in science communication and interdisciplinary education, advancing collaboration between environmental science, agriculture, and public engagement.
Week 9
"Indigenous Ecological Wisdom"
Tuesday, August 25th
12:30 PM at Smith Wilkes Hall
Ken Parker
Native Plant Guy
Ken Parker is a horticulturist, native plant advocate, and educator widely known as the “Native Plant Guy” for his work promoting the use of native plants to support biodiversity, pollinators, and sustainable landscapes. Through public speaking, garden consultations, and community outreach, Parker encourages environmentally responsible gardening practices that restore habitat and strengthen local ecosystems. His work emphasizes practical, accessible approaches to native landscaping and ecological stewardship, helping homeowners and organizations create resilient, wildlife-friendly outdoor spaces.