2025 Season
Wildlife
Dr. Scott Loarie + Budd Veverka
Our discussion on “Wildlife” featured Scott Loarie, co-founder and executive director of iNaturalist, and Budd Veverka, director of land management for the Mianus River Gorge.
Loarie spoke about the power of iNaturalist, the global citizen-science platform that allows people to upload photos of plants and animals they encounter. These observations become part of a worldwide biodiversity database used by scientists, educators, and conservationists. Even a casual photo—such as a spotted lanternfly—can contribute to research and help track species distribution.
Veverka brought the conversation closer to home, discussing the wildlife and ecological research happening at the Mianus River Gorge. His work focuses on monitoring local species such as coyotes, black bears, and deer with tools like remote cameras. He also described efforts to manage invasive species, restore habitats, and study wildlife movement in the region.
Together, they highlighted how community participation and scientific research intersect, encouraging Bedford residents to observe and document the wildlife around them and to play a role in understanding and protecting the ecosystems of northern Westchester.
Water
Mark Yaggi, Laura DeMott + Rod Christie
Our night on “Water” featured Mark Yaggi, CEO of the Waterkeeper Alliance; geologist Laura DeMott of the New York Water Science Center, a division of the US Geological Survey (USGS); and Mianus River George Executive Director Rod Christie.
Yaggi provided a global perspective on water protection, describing the work of Waterkeeper organizations that monitor waterways, identify pollution sources, and advocate for stronger environmental protections. He highlighted emerging concerns such as PFAS “forever chemicals,” and emphasized the importance of citizen engagement and legal advocacy in holding polluters and regulators accountable.
DeMott explained how scientists study water systems—from rainfall and surface streams to groundwater aquifers. She described how sand and gravel aquifers store and transmit groundwater across much of New York State, making them both valuable drinking water sources and vulnerable to contamination. She illustrated how water levels and quality are tracked over time to help communities manage drought, flooding, and environmental change.
Christie brought the discussion back to Bedford and the Mianus River watershed, explaining how local water systems depend on a combination of municipal water districts and private wells. He emphasized the importance of land conservation, wetlands protection, and streamside buffers in maintaining water quality and sustaining river flow.
Land
Kate Orff, Murray Fisher + Dr. Chris Nagy
Our final discussion on “Land” featured award-winning landscape architect Kate Orff; Murray Fisher, environmental leader and longtime advocate for urban ecological restoration and rewilding; and Mianus River Gorge Director of Research and Education Dr. Chris Nagy.
Orff shared highlights of some of her urban ecology landscape projects, which range from Memphis to San Francisco to New York City, and how they address climate change and biodiversity loss. She described how landscapes, from coastal zones to suburban communities, can be planned and managed to support habitat, absorb stormwater, and build resilience in the face of environmental change.
Fisher expanded the conversation to the concept of rewilding, emphasizing the importance of restoring ecological function to landscapes.. He discussed how even suburban environments can support richer biodiversity through habitat restoration, replacing lawns with meadows and native plantings, and land-use practices that allow ecosystems to recover.
Nagy brought a regional perspective, sharing insights from the Mianus River Gorge’s ongoing research and land management. His work focuses on understanding how wildlife and plant communities respond to changes in habitat, climate, and land use.
All three events were moderated by David Pogue, "CBS Sunday Morning" correspondent. He’s a seven-time Emmy winner, five-time TED speaker, host of 20 “NOVA”science specials on PBS, creator of the CBS News podcast “Unsung Science.”
