Event Registration

BICYCLING AND BIRDING ACROSS AMERICA
By Professor Scott V. Edwards
Wednesday, May 26, 7:30-8:30pm
with Hudson River Audubon Society

In the summer of 2020, Scott V. Edwards, Professor of Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University, realized a long-held dream. In June, he dipped his bicycle tires in the Atlantic Ocean at Newburyport, MA, and set out to ride across the U.S. with the goal of dipping his tires in the Pacific. He strapped two signs to his bike: Black Lives Matter and Birds Spark Hope. 

Ironically, it was the COVID-19 pandemic that freed him of classroom duties to take off across the country. He rode unassisted, no van followed behind with a comfy bed, supplies, and meals. He slept in campgrounds, in a tent he packed in his bike bag. Heat, rain, bad roads, uphill climbs—he kept going. He cycled 3,800 miles, carrying a message for racial justice and hope. The racial inclusion movements—Blacks in Nature and Black Birders Week—inspired him, too.   

Just how did Americans across the country react to this 57-year-old, professorial, Black cyclist with his signs for racial justice and hope? Come listen to him speak to find out and, as an added benefit, he’ll talk about the birds he saw.

More about This Impressive and Determined Cyclist/Birder/Professor:

Scott has taught and conducted research on the evolution of birds at Harvard since 2003. He got his PhD at the University of California, Berkeley. His research uses genetic data to discover how bird species are related to each other; how they defend themselves against disease; and how they move across the landscape. Along with his research and teaching, he works towards building as much diversity in the scientific workforce as there is in the natural world. 

Registration required. Limited to 500. Free