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Workshop offers an education on soil

Join us for “Uncovering Soil: An Intro to the World Beneath Our Feet,” the first class of the Healthy Soils workshop series, on Tuesday, March 8 from 7–8 p.m. This Zoom session will give an academic overview of soil and how it functions as a carbon sink that can help reverse climate change. Soil ecologist and Lincoln resident Rachel Neurath will share her expertise and enthusiasm for this underappreciated ecosystem. The series continues with in-person classes at Codman Farm every few weeks this spring. Click here to register and get the Zoom link. Healthy Soils is a collaboration among the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust, Codman Community Farms, and Mothers Out Front.

Three students chosen for music festival

Lincoln School students Henry Hussey (grade 8, violin), Luca Lee (grade 8, cello), and Shuman Yuan (grade 7, violin) were selected through a vigorous audition process to participate in the Massachusetts Music Educators Eastern District Junior Festival at Nobles and Greenough School in Dedham on March 11 and 12. The program is offered as an enrichment opportunity to brings together the top musicians in our schools. Over 900 outstanding music students in grades 7–9 from 30 school districts auditioned with recorded auditions and less than half were accepted. 

“Given these trying times of COVID, in-person music has been difficult if not impossible. Finally this year, our students will at least be able to rehearse in person for a virtual concert performance,” middle school music teacher Karen Sheppard said.

Drumlin Farm’s Pomponi promoted

Mass Audubon has promoted Renata Pomponi to Senior Regional Director – Metro Boston, a new staff leadership position signaling the organization’s commitment to achieving statewide conservation goals including a focus on access to nature for all. Pomponi previously oversaw Mass Audubon’s Metro West properties in Belmont, Concord, Hopkinton, Natick, and Lincoln, where she served as director of Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary for six years. The region she supervises has expanded to include Metro South wildlife sanctuaries Blue Hills Trailside Museum in Milton, Museum of American Bird Art in Canton, Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary in Sharon and Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Norfolk. She is also responsible for the development of new Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries and urban greenspaces in Cambridge, Lowell, and Concord.   

Prior to joining Mass Audubon in 2007, Pomponi spent 12 years as a management consultant, specializing in strategic planning. She holds multiple degrees from MIT, including a Ph.D. in Technology Management and Policy. Scott McCue is Mass Audubon’s new Metro West Regional Director.

“On Belonging in Outdoor Spaces” talk

On Wednesday, April 6 at 7 p.m., Kareemah Batts,  a cancer survivor, paraclimber, a disability advocate, and outdoor enthusiast, will speak about her lived experience and work to co-create a world where diversity is intersectional and accessible. Her talk, “Diversity Is More Than Color,” is part of the “On Belonging in Outdoor Spaces” speaker series on access, inclusion, and connection in nature. Batts will walk us through her journey and demonstrate what happens when the narrative shifts from “you don’t belong here” to “you belong here, you exist, and you matter.” Click here to register.