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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260209T080000
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LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T212312Z
UID:47283-1770624000-1772298000@darwinday.org
SUMMARY:Darwin Day at A-State Museum
DESCRIPTION:The Darwin Day activities at Arkansas State University kick off with an exhibit at A-State Museum\, located at 320 University Loop\, inside Dean B. Ellis Library. \nJONESBORO – This year\, the Darwin Day activities at Arkansas State University kick off with an exhibit at A-State Museum\, located at 320 University Loop\, inside Dean B. Ellis Library. \n“The exhibit will feature fossils and specimens of different plants and animals that no longer live in Arkansas\, and in some cases\, no longer live anywhere on earth\,” said Dr. Drew Sweet\, associate professor of evolutionary biology. \nSweet said that Arkansas once looked very different from what it does now\, and the exhibit will showcase how both plant and animal life have changed. \n“The exhibit will also focus on some plants and animals that are not extinct yet\, but are not doing very well. We still have time to save them\, but we need people to be aware\,” added Sweet. \nThe exhibit will be open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday\, Feb. 9\, through Saturday\, Feb. 28. \nA panel discussion\, Darwin Day: Extinction and De-Extinction\, will be held from 4 – 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday\, Feb. 11\, in room 157 of A-State Museum. \n“Organisms have been going extinct at an increasingly faster rate over the last several centuries\,” Sweet continued. “One approach to counteracting high extinction rates is ‘de-extinction\,’ which seeks to use cutting-edge biotechnology to resurrect previously extinct species. However\, some approaches to de-extinction are controversial\, and it is important to have discussions about the ethics of these approaches.” \nThis panel discussion will feature experts from the A-State community\, including biologists and philosophers. \nOn Thursday\, Feb. 12\, the keynote speaker for the Darwin Day events will speak on “The Elephant from Heaven and the Chicken from Hell: Does De-extinction Make Sense?” This event will be held from 5 – 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium of A-State Museum. \nDr. Gregory Kaebnick\, director of the research department and editor of the Hastings Center Report at the Hastings Center for Bioethics\, will speak about ethical issues surrounding the resurrection of previously extinct species. \nThose who cannot attend the event in person can still attend online: https://RedWolv.es/DeExtinct.
URL:https://darwinday.org/event/darwin-day-at-a-state-museum/
LOCATION:Arkansas State University\,  101 North Caraway Road\, Jonesboro\, AR\, 72401\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260209T080000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20260415T170000
DTSTAMP:20260408T003708
CREATED:20260115T222527Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260115T222527Z
UID:43876-1770624000-1776272400@darwinday.org
SUMMARY:Darwin Week 2026
DESCRIPTION:This is a weeklong event where various biology-related events are organized such as\,\n1. Connections – this is a game type event related to biology\n2. Biology quiz – this is a themed biology quiz\n3. WHO-MUN – this is a mun taken WHO as its setting and Biological problems are the agenda\n4. treasure hunt – this is a campus wide treasure hunt which has questions having a biological twist to them\n5. guest talk – we have guest talk from an esteemed professor in india for the students\n6. movie screening – a movie is screened for the students which have a biological angle\n7. bio-hackathon – a hackathon is organized which have biological questions
URL:https://darwinday.org/event/darwin-week-2026/
LOCATION:Indian INstitute of Science Education and Research Mohali\, Sector 81 SAS Nagar Knowledge City\, Mohali\, Punjab\, 140306\, India
ORGANIZER;CN="Biology Discussion Forum IISERM":MAILTO:rituroych@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260210
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260214
DTSTAMP:20260408T003708
CREATED:20260112T171339Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260115T222855Z
UID:45228-1770681600-1771027199@darwinday.org
SUMMARY:2026 Darwin Festival
DESCRIPTION:Salem State’s annual Darwin FestivalSM is a weeklong event that celebrates the work of Charles Darwin\, with sessions from leading researchers celebrating the field of biology and its impact on today’s world. \n2026 Darwin Festival\nThe 2025 Darwin FestivalSM will take place Tuesday\, February 10 through Friday\, February 13. \nAll in-person talks will be held in Vets Hall\, Ellison Campus Center\, North Campus. One talk is webinar only. Events are free and open to the public. \nStudents and guests who anticipate needing accommodations due to a disability or who have questions about access may contact the Center for Accessible Academic Resources at access@salemstate.edu or Ryan Fisher for more information. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTuesday\, February 10\n\n\n\n10:50 am \n\nDavid Shiffman (webinar)\, Interdisciplinary marine conservation biologist\, David Shiffman Scientific and Environmental Consulting\, Washington\, DC  \n“Why everything you know about shark conservation is wrong: an interdisciplinary look at public misunderstanding of conservation science” \nSharks are some of the most ecologically important\, most threatened\, and most misunderstood animals on Earth. If we are to avoid extinction of animals that have been around since before trees existed on land\, strong conservation protections based on evidence and data are an urgent necessity. Fortunately\, more people care about the environment and want to help than ever before. Unfortunately\, ocean conservation discussions are plagued by misinformation\, pseudoscience\, and extremism. In this talk\, Dr. David Shiffman will present some key results from his decade of work trying to understand the causes and consequences of public misunderstanding of ocean conservation threats and their solutions. Where did so many people learn wrong information about these important topics\, and what can experts do to get things moving in the right way? \nSponsored by the Biology Department. \n  \n12:15 pm\nShaina Sadai (Geography and Sustainability Speaker)\, Climate Scientist and Critical Physical Geographer\, Five College Associate\, MA \n“Sea Level Rise and Multispecies Climate Justice” \nClimate change is causing sea levels to rise at an accelerating rate\, impacting shorelines around the world. The long-term impacts will occur over generations and will be highly spatially variable along coastlines. Sea level rise impacts and adaptation responses vary geographically and affect all who dwell in or move through coastal spaces. The emerging lens of multispecies climate justice allows us to look deeper into the interrelated ecologies of climate impacts by considering a broad assessment of interrelated beings and ecosystems. This talk will discuss research on the global impacts of sea level rise on nonhuman animals\, and implications for advancing multispecies climate justice. This work was a collaborative project with my former undergraduate students Ava Sharpe\, Rory Crisfield\, Libby Rankin\, and Caitlin Bolzan. \nSponsored by the Charles Albert Read Trust. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWednesday\, February 11\n\n\n9:25 am\nJayne Yack (BioSociety Speaker–webinar)\, Professor\, Carleton University \n“The Final Frontier: Exploring the Vibratory Worlds of Insects” \nInsects live in a vibratory world\, where substrate-borne vibrations are a key component of their sensory ecology. Historically considered a private and specialized communication channel\, vibratory sensing and communication is now recognized as widespread and ecologically relevant to many organisms. Insects inhabit complex vibroscapes where they experience substrate-borne vibrations arising from multiple biotic and abiotic sources\, which together create a rich and dynamic vibratory landscape. I will talk about my laboratory’s research on the complex vibroscapes of birch trees\, and specifically\, their caterpillar residents. Although previously thought to be primarily deaf and mute\, we now have burgeoning evidence that caterpillars and other larval insects employ a wide range of complex sounds and vibrations in their daily activities. I will talk about how caterpillars use vibrations to engage in territorial ‘rap’ battles\, coordinate social activities\, and fend off enemies. I will also discuss unexpected insights we have gained from studying these unassuming creatures in their vibratory worlds\, including the evolutionary origins of animal communication signals and proximate mechanisms underlying sociality. It can be concluded that the vibroacoustic landscape of insects remains unchartered territory ripe for further exploration and discovery! \nSponsored by the Charles Albert Read Trust. \n\n12:15 pm\nDana Reuter (Geological Sciences speaker)\, Visting Lecturer\, Department of Geological Sciences\, Salem State University\n“Investigating the influence of diet on mammalian evolution: are you what you eat?”\nDarwin well knew that climate and its effects on food availability in the environment played a major role in natural selection. In the almost 200 years since his writings\, we have learned much more about how an animal’s diet is linked to almost every other aspect of its ecology and evolution. As a paleontologist\, I use a variety of methods to test hypotheses about the ecological links among extinct taxa and their environment. By both looking at the fossil record and modern animals\, we can better understand the processes that govern organismal diet\, ecological diversity\, and changes in ecological communities. In this talk\, I will discuss insights from several projects that have aimed to answer the question: how has diet influenced mammalian evolution and extinction through time? \nSponsored by the Charles Albert Read Trust. \n\n\n\n\n\n\nThursday\, February 12\n\n\n9:25 am\nLynn Fletcher\, Professor\, Department of Biology\, Salem State University \n“Evolving Worldviews and their Impacts: Bringing in Indigenous Perspectives” \nWorldviews shape our relationship to the life around us.  Today’s ecological crisis is primarily driven by human activity\, leaving us with the impression that humans inherently have a negative impact on the planet.  However\, indigenous cultures have persisted for millennia\, living in ways that promote biodiversity and create conditions of mutual thriving.  We’ll discuss some of the values held in Indigenous worldviews and see how humans can have a positive impact on the world around them! \nSponsored by the Charles Albert Read Trust. \n\n10:50 am\nLeigh Ann Henion (webinar)\, New York Times Bestselling Author\, Journalist & Award Winner\, Author of Night Magic \n“Appreciating the Magic of Natural Night” \nLeigh Ann Henion is the New York Times bestselling author of Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms\, Moon Gardens\, and Other Marvels of the Dark (2024) and Phenomenal: A Hesitant Adventurer’s Search for Wonder in the Natural World (2015). Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post\, Smithsonian\, Backpacker\, Garden & Gun\, National Geographic\, Men’s Journal\, and a variety of other publications. Her essays and articles have been cited as notable in The Best American Essays\, The Best American Travel Writing\, The Best American Sports Writing\, and The Best American Science & Nature Writing. She is a former Alicia Patterson Fellow\, and her work has been supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. \nNight Magic was\, in part\, inspired by an article Henion wrote for The Washington Post Magazine about synchronous fireflies. After that piece ran\, many readers reached out to let her know that they’d started turning off their porch lights more often\, and she was amazed that her story had inspired real-world action that led to reduced light pollution. Henion subsequently spent several years in the company of owls\, moths\, salamanders\, and other nocturnal creatures to explore the importance of natural darkness in an age of increasing artificial light. \nThe Wall Street Journal called Night Magic\, “lovely…truly inspired…and very clever.” In a starred review\, Kirkus said\, “Henion writes with poetic grace.” And Publishers Weekly reported\, “Henion’s greatest gift is her ability to evoke the sense of wonder that follows from tuning in to the natural world. This will fill readers with awe.” Henion aims to continually inspire awe\, both in person and on the page. \nSponsored by the Biology Department\, the College of Arts and Sciences\, and the Charles Albert Read Trust. \n  \n1:40 pm\nErica Polleys\, Ph.D. (Sigma Xi Speaker) Assistant Professor of Bioengineering and Biotechnology\, Endicott College \n“A genomic threat: How repetitive DNAs cause DNA damage and mutations” \nSponsored by the Biology Department. \n  \nAlumni-Student Social\nPlease consider joining us for an alumni-student evening from 6:30-9 pm Thursday evening in the commuter lounge of the Ellison Campus Center. For questions and to RSVP\, please contact Ryan Fisher. \n\n\n\n\n\n\nFriday\, February 13\n\n\n9:25 am\nLindsay Green-Gavrielidis\, Associate Professor\, Department of Biology\, Salem State University \n“Evolving Ecosystems: Seaweeds in a Changing Climate” \nWhen most people visit the seashore and decide to poke around to look at organisms\, they are typically focused on the animals and especially the ones they see moving. While seaweeds might be overlooked by many\, they form the base of most marine ecosystems. Habitat-forming seaweeds are those that form the three-dimensional structure of coastal habitats and include many species of rockweeds and kelps. Due to the combined effects of climate change\, especially increased sea surface temperature\, the abundance and distribution of habitat-forming seaweeds have been changing. These changes are likely to cause ripple effects through entire coastal marine ecosystems that may affect which species are present and in what quantities. In this talk\, Dr. Green-Gavrielidis will share research on how habitat-forming seaweeds in the northwest Atlantic are changing\, and offer a glimpse at what may be local adaptation in seaweed populations to changing conditions. Dr. Green-Gavrielidis will also highlight findings from other temperate regions and propose future research areas to better understand the complexity of the response of seaweeds to climate change stressors. \nSponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific. \n\n10:50 am\nJames Elliott (Alumni Speaker) Process Development Scientist\, New England Biolabs \n“Of Moose and Men: Evolutionary Threads in Wildlife Disease and Vaccine Manufacturing” \nMoose calves (Alces alces americana) in northern climates face substantial nutritional stress during winter\, and many carry extraordinary winter tick (Dermacentor albipictus) burdens—sometimes exceeding 90\,000 ticks per animal. To date\, nearly 400 collared calves and 51 adult cows in northern Maine have been examined for how co-infection with an uncharacterized Anaplasma bacteria and varying winter tick loads influences survival and fitness. Calves experiencing both Anaplasma blood infection and moderate to heavy tick loads showed a marked reduction in overwinter survival probability. Physiological indicators suggest that Anaplasma infection contributes to anemia and may alter immune function. These findings highlight how co-infecting parasites compound stress in a population already challenged by climate-driven tick proliferation\, underscoring the importance of genetic and ecological monitoring for a species of major cultural\, ecological\, and economic significance in Maine. \nThe second section part of the talk shifts to the molecular manufacturing landscape during the COVID-19 pandemic\, detailing an Alumni’s journey to being a part of how New England Biolabs mobilized to support Moderna’s mRNA vaccine program. I describe the rapid scaling and manufacturing process development of critical enzymatic reagents and the collaborative problem-solving required to maintain uninterrupted access to high-quality raw materials essential for vaccine production. This high level behind-the-scenes view illustrates how industrial biotechnology can respond with speed and precision when the stakes are global. \nSponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific. \n\n\n\n\n\n\nFounded in 1980 by Philip A. DePalma and Virginia F. Keville. \nQuestions?\nStudents and guests who anticipate needing accommodations due to a disability or who have questions about access may contact the Center for Accessible Academic Resources at access@salemstate.edu. \nInterested in the 2025 Darwin FestivalSM? Contact Ryan Fisher for more information. \nPast Darwin Festival Recordings\nVideo recordings of Darwin FestivalSM presentations are available in the Salem State Digital Repository. \nThank You to Our Supporters\nMajor support for the Darwin FestivalSM comes from the Charles Albert Read Trust and Thermo Fisher Scientific.
URL:https://darwinday.org/event/2026-darwin-festival/
LOCATION:Salem State University\, 352 Lafayette Street\, Salem\, MA\, 01970\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260210
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260215
DTSTAMP:20260408T003708
CREATED:20260113T193219Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260113T193219Z
UID:45362-1770681600-1771113599@darwinday.org
SUMMARY:Darwin Days 2026
DESCRIPTION:Darwin Days 2026 explores the marvelous world of mollusks\, evolution education\, and more!\nFebruary 10th – 14th\nDarwin Day is an annual\, international commemoration of the birthday and ideas of Charles Darwin\, a British naturalist born February 12\, 1809\, and author of the seminal book On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection. \nThe first organized Darwin Day events took place in 1995\, and were organized by the Humanist Community of Palo Alto\, California. The years since have seen Darwin Day celebrations around the world increasing annually at a steady rate. \nIn 2006\, the Paleontological Research Institution and its Museum of the Earth\, in collaboration with Cornell University and Ithaca College\, celebrated the first official Darwin Days in Ithaca\, New York\, with a five-day series of panel discussions\, film screenings\, speakers\, and workshops\, aimed at increasing awareness of Darwin’s theory and its relevance today\, in the Ithaca community and beyond. \nJoin us this year from February 10- 14 to celebrate the work of Charles Darwin and the study of evolution. In 2026\, Darwin Days dives into the remarkable story of mollusk evolution\, inspired by PRI’s special exhibition at the Museum of the Earth\, Marvellous Mollusks: The Secret World of Shells. \nFrom film and conversation to hands-on family fun\, join us as we explore how these extraordinary animals have adapted\, diversified\, and thrived for hundreds of millions of years.
URL:https://darwinday.org/event/darwin-days-2026/
LOCATION:Paleontological Research Institution\, 1259 Trumansburg Road\, Ithaca\, NY\, 14850\, United States
ORGANIZER;CN="Paleontological Research Institution":MAILTO:marketing@priweb.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260211T111500
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260211T121500
DTSTAMP:20260408T003708
CREATED:20260205T202140Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260205T202140Z
UID:47572-1770808500-1770812100@darwinday.org
SUMMARY:UND Darwin Day
DESCRIPTION:Chester Fritz Library\, 406 View map  \n\n\n\n\n\n\nEvolution Students will be celebrating the 217th birthday of Charles Darwin\, who discovered evolution by natural selection\, changing the course of biological thought. Students will present posters that highlight research by faculty and graduate students in the Department of Biology. Light refreshments will be served. \n\n3051 University Ave\, Grand Forks\, ND 58202
URL:https://darwinday.org/event/und-darwin-day/
LOCATION:University of North Dakota\, 3051 University Ave\, Grand Forks\, ND\, 58202\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260211T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260211T130000
DTSTAMP:20260408T003708
CREATED:20260203T212734Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T212734Z
UID:47285-1770811200-1770814800@darwinday.org
SUMMARY:Taste of ISM: The Human Family Tree (and you!) 
DESCRIPTION:ISM Curator Alex Ruger will guide you through the story of human evolution\, how we’ve understood (and misunderstood!) our place on the tree of life\, and what exactly it means to be Homo sapiens! \n\n \n\nWednesday\, February 11\, 2026\n12:00 PM to 01:00 PM CST \n\n\n\n \n\nZoom Meeting\nhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/83095927473\n\n\n\n \n\nResearch and Collections Center\n\n1011 East Ash Street\nSpringfield\, Illinois 62703 \n\n\n\n\n\n\nWho are we\, and where do we come from? Lots of people have tried to answer that question. The fossil record tells us a thing or two\, but how scientists and popular culture have portrayed human evolution have impacted how we understand it. Curator of Science Education Alex Ruger will take you through what we know about evolution\, how we know it\, and the various ways the hard science has been misinterpreted and misconstrued. Celebrate Darwin Day with ISM and attend this free lecture from ISM! \n  \nFor more information\, please contact dnr.ism.events@illinois.gov.
URL:https://darwinday.org/event/taste-of-ism-the-human-family-tree-and-you/
LOCATION:Illinois State Museum\, 1011 East Ash Street\, Springfield\, IL\, 62703\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260212
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260213
DTSTAMP:20260408T003708
CREATED:20260130T215720Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260130T215720Z
UID:47037-1770854400-1770940799@darwinday.org
SUMMARY:Darwin Day at Edelman Fossil Park & Museum
DESCRIPTION:Celebrate Darwin Day\, an international event held each year on February 12 to honor the life and legacy of Charles Darwin. Darwin Day recognizes Darwin’s groundbreaking work in science and his theory of evolution by natural selection: the idea that living things change over time as they adapt to their environments. Today\, Darwin Day is about curiosity\, discovery\, and understanding how all life on Earth is connected. \nWho was Charles Darwin? Charles Darwin was a 19th-century naturalist whose observations of plants and animals\, especially during his travels to places like the Galápagos Islands\, helped shape our modern understanding of biology. His work showed how species evolve over generations\, inspiring scientific exploration that continues to this day. \nDarwin Day Activities Throughout the Museum\nExplore evolution in action with hands-on activities and storytelling designed for curious minds of all ages: \nFinch Beak Activity\nInspired by Darwin’s famous finch studies\, this interactive station challenges kids to pick up different “foods” — like seeds\, nuts\, beans\, pipe cleaners\, and marbles — using a variety of tools such as tweezers\, clothespins\, chopsticks\, and binder clips. By experimenting with different tools\, visitors discover how beak shapes affect how animals eat. Photos of real finches highlight the incredible diversity of beak shapes found in nature. \nDarwin’s Finches Scavenger Hunt\nSearch the museum for clues in our Darwin’s Finches Secret Message Scavenger Hunt\, a fun\, self-guided activity. As visitors explore exhibits\, they’ll uncover hidden messages that reinforce key ideas about adaptation\, observation\, and evolution. \nStorytime from the Galápagos\nJoin us for special storytimes featuring books from the Galápagos Conservation Trust: \n• Tessa the Giant Tortoise\n• Marti the Hammerhead Shark\n• Alberto the Waved Albatross \nThese stories introduce young learners to unique species and habitats while reinforcing themes of conservation\, biodiversity\, and our connection to the natural world. \nDarwin Day at the museum is a celebration of science\, storytelling\, and hands-on learning – a chance to explore how life evolves and why curiosity matters. Come discover how small differences can make a big impact! \nDarwin Day activities are included in Museum admission.
URL:https://darwinday.org/event/darwin-day-at-edelman-fossil-park-museum/
LOCATION:Edelman Fossil Park & Museum of Rowan University\, 66 Million Mosasaur Way\, Mantua\, NJ\, 08080\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260212T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260212T120000
DTSTAMP:20260408T003708
CREATED:20260122T192704Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260122T192833Z
UID:45999-1770892200-1770897600@darwinday.org
SUMMARY:Darwin Day Fun at the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum
DESCRIPTION:Celebrate Darwin Day with a story and hands-on science! \nAt 10 a.m.\, children ages 2-5 will enjoy a storybook reading of Grandmother Fish and the science of evolution. Then\, kids of all ages can participate in a STEAM Lab about evolution and Darwin’s finches. Kids will experiment with different “beaks” to see how shape and size affect how birds gather food\, discovering how small changes can make a big difference over time. \nIncluded with museum admission.
URL:https://darwinday.org/event/darwin-day-fun-at-the-mid-hudson-discovery-museum/
LOCATION:Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum\, 75 North Water Street\, Poughkeepsie\, NY\, 12601\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260212T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260212T130000
DTSTAMP:20260408T003708
CREATED:20260130T220558Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260130T220558Z
UID:47051-1770897600-1770901200@darwinday.org
SUMMARY:Ecology and evolution of Amazonian fishes: Assembling the most diverse continental vertebrate assemblage
DESCRIPTION:  \nJoin the Department of Biology in celebrating Darwin Day Feb. 12 with special guest speaker Dr. James Albert\, a distinguished biologist and evolutionary ecologist from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Albert will give his featured talk titled “Ecology and evolution of Amazonian fishes: Assembling the most diverse continental vertebrate assemblage.”
URL:https://darwinday.org/event/ecology-and-evolution-of-amazonian-fishes-assembling-the-most-diverse-continental-vertebrate-assemblage/
LOCATION:Stephen F. Austin State University\, 1936 North St\, Nacogdoches\, TX\, 75965\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260212T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260212T130000
DTSTAMP:20260408T003708
CREATED:20260131T190551Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260131T190551Z
UID:47092-1770897600-1770901200@darwinday.org
SUMMARY:Lunch & Learn: Charles Darwin
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a special Darwin Day Lunch & Learn as we celebrate the birthday of the pioneering naturalist.\nThis event is at the Vermillion Public Library – 18 Church Street\, Vermillion\, SD
URL:https://darwinday.org/event/lunch-learn-charles-darwin/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/North_Dakota/Center:20260212T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/North_Dakota/Center:20260212T133000
DTSTAMP:20260408T003708
CREATED:20260205T190143Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260205T190143Z
UID:47391-1770897600-1770903000@darwinday.org
SUMMARY:Lunch & Learn: Charles Darwin
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a special Darwin Day Lunch & Learn as we celebrate the birthday of the pioneering naturalist. \nWidely known as the scientist who wrote The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection\, join Holly Straub\, as she explores Charles Darwin’s legacy. \nWhether you’re a science enthusiast or simply curious\, this bite-sized session offers a fun way to honor a man who was a great scientist\, naturalist\, and humanitarian. \nOh\, and there will be cake!
URL:https://darwinday.org/event/lunch-learn-charles-darwin-2/
LOCATION:Vermillion Public Library\, 18 Church St.\, Vermillion\, SD\, 57069\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20260212T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20260212T133000
DTSTAMP:20260408T003708
CREATED:20260126T195211Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260126T195211Z
UID:46505-1770899400-1770903000@darwinday.org
SUMMARY:"Extreme Weapons: A Natural History" with Dr. Douglas J. Emlen
DESCRIPTION:Wisconsin Evolution\nJ.F. Crow Institute for the Study of Evolution\nDarwin Day Lecture\nSpring 2026\n\nExtreme Weapons: A Natural History\nDr. Douglas Emlen\nMontana Regents Professor of Biology\, University of Montana\nEvery animal has a weapon of one sort or another\, but the overwhelming majority of weapons stay small. Yet\, sprinkled through the tree of life are species where weapons become extreme. Occasionally\, human manufactured weapons also evolve to extremes. Dr. Emlen reveals that the same critical conditions trigger arms races in both cases\, and the most crucial prerequisite is duels. A journey that begins with biology becomes the story of all weapons\, as Dr. Emlen discusses beetles and battleships\, crabs and the Cold War. \n\nVirtual viewing information: evolution.wisc.edu/seminars \n\nCo-sponsored by the Center for Ecology and the Environment\, the Department of Entomology\, and the Department of Integrative Biology.
URL:https://darwinday.org/event/extreme-weapons-a-natural-history-with-dr-douglas-j-emlen/
LOCATION:J.F. Crow Institute for the Study of Evolution\, University of Wisconsin-Madison\, 500 Lincoln Dr.\, Genetics/Biotech Room 1111\, Madison\, 53706\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Honolulu:20260212T133000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Honolulu:20260212T173000
DTSTAMP:20260408T003708
CREATED:20260203T214449Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T214449Z
UID:47293-1770903000-1770917400@darwinday.org
SUMMARY:Darwin Day at the UH Insect Museum
DESCRIPTION:Get ready to celebrate science at Darwin Day 2026! Explore an amazing variety of displays\, from the Chong Lab’s planthoppers to mantis shrimps from the Porter Vision Lab and marine critters from the Kewalo Marine Lab. The excitement doesn’t stop with insects; you can also check out birds from Luke Campillo\, plants from the Lyon Arboretum\, snails from the Bishop Museum\, and fascinating biofacts from the Honolulu Zoo Society! Come for the amazing exhibits\, and stay to enjoy refreshments and the chance to win prizes! \n  \nTicket Information\nFree \nEvent Sponsor\nCollege of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience\, Mānoa Campus \nMore Information\nDan Rubinoff\, 808-956-8432\, rubinoff@hawaii.edu\, https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/insectmuseum/
URL:https://darwinday.org/event/darwin-day-at-the-uh-insect-museum/
LOCATION:University of Hawaii Insect Museum\, 3050 Maile Way\, Gilmore 607\, Honolulu\, HI\, 96822\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Helsinki:20260212T141500
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Helsinki:20260212T200000
DTSTAMP:20260408T003708
CREATED:20260130T214229Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260130T214229Z
UID:47033-1770905700-1770926400@darwinday.org
SUMMARY:Darwin Day 2026: Understanding the Diversity of Life Through the Lens of Evolution
DESCRIPTION:Event Details\n\n\nDarwin Day 2026: Understanding the Diversity of Life Through the Lens of Evolution\nWhen:\nThursday\, February 12\, 2026 | 14:15 – 20:00\nWhere:\nDC-7th level auditorium – Aghia Paraskevi Campus\nOrganized by:\nDepartment of Science and Mathematics – The American College of Greece \n\nAbout the event \nOn Charles Darwin’s birthday\, we join events around the world to celebrate Darwin’s contributions\, our understanding of the fact of Evolution\, and scientific thinking in general. This exciting\, open and free event will feature talks accessible to everyone\, taking us from the origins of the first cells to the astounding diversity of complex life on Earth today. The speakers are top experts from the Museum of Natural Sciences in Madrid\, the Natural History Museum of Basel\, the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology in Crete and the Hellenic Pasteur Institute\, together with scientists from the Science and Mathematics Department of the ACG. Come learn and discuss about evolution and biodiversity in a friendly and informal atmosphere! \n\n\n\nAgenda/Program \n14:15-14:30\nWelcome note and opening remarks\nDr Vasiliki Koutsouveli Part-time instructor\, Deree – The American College of Greece \n14:30-14:50\n“Evolution by natural selection: the greatest innovator of all”\nDr Nikolaos Vakirlis\nGroup Leader\, Hellenic Pasteur Institute and part-time instructor\, Deree – The American College of Greece \n14:50-15:30\n“Snail evolution\, climate and Deep Time: from Earth’s Hothouse to Icehouse”\nDr Danae Thivaiou\nResearcher\, Department of Geosciences\, Naturhistorisches Museum Basel\, Basel\, Switzerland \n15:30-15:50\n“Searching for the Deep Time origins of Darwin’s living fossils: a paleontological perspective”\nDr Thodoris Argyriou\nAssistant Professor\, Deree – The American College of Greece \n\n15:50-16:10\nCoffee break \n16:10-16:30\n“Searching for the Deep Time origins of Darwin’s living fossils: a paleontological perspective”\nDr Michalis Valahas\nAssistant Professor\, Deree – The American College of Greece \n16:30-17:10\n“Evolution of the Cell: from bacteria to neurons”\nDr Alexandros Pittis\nGroup Leader\, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology\, Foundation for Research & Technology Hellas (IMBB-FORTH) \n17:10-18:10\nKEYNOTE TALK: Evolution of animal sexual reproduction: a perspective from sponges\nDr Ana Riesgo\nTenured Researcher – PI\, Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology\, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales de Madrid\, Spain \n18:10-20:00\nDiscussion and Networking \n\nKeynote Speaker \n\n\nDr. Ana Riesgo\nTenured Researcher – PI\, Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology\, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales de Madrid\, Spain \nDr. Ana Riesgo is a marine biologist and evolutionary zoologist whose research focuses on the origin and evolution of animal diversity\, with a particular emphasis on sponges (Porifera). She graduated from the Complutense University in Madrid (Spain)\, and then obtained her doctoral degree at the University in Barcelona. She did several postdocs at University of Alberta in Canada and Harvard University in the US\, until she landed a permanent position at the Natural History Museum in London. After 5 years\, she moved to the Natural Sciences Museum in Madrid\, where she now leads a laboratory studying evolution and ecology in marine invertebrates. She combines omics techniques\, developmental biology\, and molecular ecology to address fundamental questions about early animal evolution\, symbiosis\, and morphological innovation. Her work has significantly contributed to resolving sponge evolutionary relationships\, understanding the evolution of key traits such as skeletons and reproductive strategies\, and clarifying the role of microbial associations in sponge biology. Dr. Riesgo has led and participated in numerous national and international research projects and oceanographic expeditions\, and her work is widely recognized for bridging classical zoology with modern genomic approaches. \n\n\n\nInvited Speakers \n \nDr. Alexandros Pittis\nGroup Leader\, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology\, Foundation for Research & Technology Hellas (IMBB-FORTH) \nDr. Alexandros Pittis has been a group leader (Researcher C) at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB-FORTH) since early 2024\, where he leads the Comparative Genomics Lab. He earned his Biology degree from the University of Athens and completed his Ph.D. at Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) and the Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG) in Barcelona\, under the supervision of Toni Gabaldon. Dr. Pittis’s postdoctoral work includes positions at the American Museum of Natural History in New York\, the University of British Columbia as an EMBO fellow\, the Berlin Institute for Advanced Studies (WIKO) as a fellow of the College for Life Sciences\, and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) as a Research Associate. His research interests encompass computational biology\, protein family evolution\, and genomics\, with a focus on the molecular complexity and diversity of eukaryotic cell types\, and the animal nervous system. \n  \n \nDr. Danae Thivaiou\nResearcher\, Department of Geosciences\, Naturhistorisches Museum Basel\, Basel\, Switzerland\n \nDr. Danae Thivaiou is a paleobiologist\, specialist of Cenozoic molluscs. She studied Biology at the Sorbonne University (formerly Pierre et Marie Curie Paris VI) and specialized in Paleontology through master’s programs on Systematics\, Evolution\, Paleontology (Sorbonne University and Musée National d’Histoire Naturelle\, Paris\, France) and Stratigraphy and Paleontology (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens\, Greece). Her doctoral research focused on molluscs\, including their taxonomy\, biogeography\, and diversity through time\, themes that are still central in her research. Since 2023\, she has been Curator of Paleontology at the Natural History Museum of Basel\, Switzerland\, Department of Geosciences\, becoming the first woman to hold this position at the institution. \n  \n\n\nShort Talks \n \nDr. Thodoris Argyriou\nAssistant Professor\, Department of Science and Mathematics\, Deree – The American College of Greece \n  \n  \n\n\n\n\n  \n\n\n\n\n  \n  \n \nDr. Nikolaos Vakirlis\nGroup Leader\, Hellenic Pasteur Institute and part-time instructor\, Deree – The American College of Greece \n  \n  \n\n\n\n  \n\n\n\n  \n  \n \nDr. Michalis Valahas\nAssistant Professor\, Department of Science and Mathematics\, Deree – The American College of Greece \n  \n  \n  \n\n\n  \nThe event is free and open to the public. \nFor further clarifications\, please contact mfragkos@acg.edu
URL:https://darwinday.org/event/darwin-day-2026-understanding-the-diversity-of-life-through-the-lens-of-evolution/
LOCATION:American College of Greece\, Gravias 6\, Ag. Paraskevi\, 153 42\, Greece
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260212T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260212T151500
DTSTAMP:20260408T003708
CREATED:20260115T221435Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260115T221435Z
UID:45574-1770906600-1770909300@darwinday.org
SUMMARY:Darwin Day 2026
DESCRIPTION:The Biology & Psychology departments will celebrate Darwin Day with science-themed activities – we’d love to have you join us! Darwin Day honors scientific inquiry\, persistence\, and curiosity. Held every February 12th – marking the birth of Charles Darwin on that day in 1809 – universities and scientific communities around the world commemorate the impact of Darwin’s work\, celebrate the interaction of scientific disciplines\, and encourage and inspire everyone to get involved in science. \n\nExplore plant and animal specimens from our natural science collections\nLearn about the evolution of plants\, animals\, and language\nPlay a natural selection game\nAsk real-live biologists and psychologists your questions\nEnjoy a slice of cake for Darwin’s birthday\nPick up some free science-themed Valentine’s Day cards\, Darwin buttons and Darwin stickers
URL:https://darwinday.org/event/darwin-day-2026-2/
LOCATION:Pacific Lutheran University – Rieke Science Center\, 12180 Park Ave S\, Parkland\, WA\, 98447\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Lisbon:20260212T143000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Lisbon:20260212T170000
DTSTAMP:20260408T003708
CREATED:20260212T145443Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260212T145443Z
UID:47860-1770906600-1770915600@darwinday.org
SUMMARY:Workshop "Darwin's Turtle"
DESCRIPTION:We’ve all grown fond of the Galapagos Turtle\, thanks to Charles Darwin and the years of study he dedicated to it! It’s “obligatory” to pay homage to this extraordinary scientist\, and that can be a lot of fun at the Makerspace of Fábrica Science Centre of Aveiro! Come build a friendly modern reptile: with an electrical circuit\, top-notch decoration on its shell… and friends nearby! \nAnd because it’s Darwin Day\, we’ll have a very special guest: Xana Sá-Pinto\, researcher at CIDTFF\, University of Aveiro\, and member of APBE and the EvoKE network. With her\, we’ll hunt for gems to discover what natural selection is and how the evolution of species occurs. \nWe’re counting on you!
URL:https://darwinday.org/event/workshop-darwins-turtle/
LOCATION:Fábrica Science Centre of Aveiro\, Rua dos Santos Mártires\, 1A\, Aveiro\, Aveiro\, 3810\, Portugal
ORGANIZER;CN="F%C3%A1brica Science Centre of Aveiro%2C Portugal":MAILTO:fabrica.cienciaviva@ua.pt
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260212T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260212T173000
DTSTAMP:20260408T003708
CREATED:20260115T221823Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260115T221831Z
UID:45537-1770912000-1770917400@darwinday.org
SUMMARY:University of Delaware's 2026 Darwin Day Lecture & Interactive Panel
DESCRIPTION:Join us at the University of Delaware’s Darwin Day event on February 12\, 2026 to celebrate Darwin’s explorations in the diversity of life and life sciences. Darwin Day is an international event honoring the naturalist’s birthday\, and we will be exploring the lasting impact of his work through an interdisciplinary lens. \nOur College of Arts & Sciences Dean Caleb Everett will give the keynote address\, including information from his research. UD Faculty\, with expertise directly related to Darwin’s research\, will participate in a panel discussion. Audience questions are encouraged formally during the program and informally after the program concludes. \nThis event is at 4 p.m. on February 12\, 2026 in the Roselle Center for the Arts\, Gore Recital Hall (Orchard Road\, University of Delaware\, Newark\, DE 19711\, USA). \nEvent Schedule\n3:40 p.m. Gore Recital Hall opens for General Admission Seating\n4:00 p.m. Event Begins\n4:45 p.m. Panel Discussion\n5:15 p.m. Audience Q & A\n5:30 p.m. Event Concludes \nWe look forward to celebrating International Darwin Day with you here at the University of Delaware! \nThis event is free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged: https://ud.alumniq.com/index.cfm/events:register/home/eventId/9322 \nMore information about our past UD Darwin Day celebrations: https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/cas/news-events/annual-lectures-and-symposia/darwin-day/ \nDarwin Day is sponsored by the University of Delaware’s College of Arts & Sciences and the CAPE Committee.
URL:https://darwinday.org/event/university-of-delawares-2026-darwin-day-lecture-interactive-panel/
LOCATION:110 Orchard Road\, University of Delaware\, Newark\, DE 19711\, USA\, 110 Orchard Road\, Newark\, DE\, 19711\, United States
ORGANIZER;CN="University of Delaware":MAILTO:cascommteam@udel.edu
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260212T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260212T173000
DTSTAMP:20260408T003708
CREATED:20260115T223639Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260115T223639Z
UID:45587-1770912000-1770917400@darwinday.org
SUMMARY:Darwin Week Research Symposium
DESCRIPTION:This year when we celebrate Charles Darwin’s birthday on campus\, we would like to also celebrate all the amazing science research that is taking place on campus. The Darwin Week Research Symposium will feature lightning talks (5 minutes) from students and professors.
URL:https://darwinday.org/event/darwin-week-research-symposium/
LOCATION:College of Charleston\, 66 George St\, Charleston\, SC\, 29424\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260212T170000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260212T220000
DTSTAMP:20260408T003708
CREATED:20260203T213508Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T213508Z
UID:47289-1770915600-1770933600@darwinday.org
SUMMARY:Darwin Day Gathering
DESCRIPTION:Darwin Day Gathering\n12 February 2026 17:00 – 22:00\nCelebrate Darwin Day by joining a friendly gathering including atheists\, skeptics and humanists from around Melbourne with a BBQ from 5pm\, followed by an evening lecture and discussion hosted by the Atheist Society. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe lecture explores ‘The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals’\, examining how emotional expression links humans with the rest of the animal world. The session will be led by Robert Bender\, with time for discussion and questions. The event will be held in person at the Melbourne Unitarian Peace Memorial Church\, East Melbourne\, with a Zoom option available for those who prefer to attend online. \nTo learn more about the event\, please use the link below: \nBook Here
URL:https://darwinday.org/event/darwin-day-gathering/
LOCATION:Melbourne Unitarian Peace Memorial Church\, 110 Grey St\, Melbourne\, VI\, Australia
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260212T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260212T190000
DTSTAMP:20260408T003708
CREATED:20260115T224048Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260115T224048Z
UID:45590-1770917400-1770922800@darwinday.org
SUMMARY:"The Ocean’s Methuselahs - Genomic Signatures of Exceptional Longevity and Negligible Aging in Sea Urchins"
DESCRIPTION:The UAB Department of Biology presents 2026 Darwin Day. \nEvents: \nPoster Session and Reception: 6:00-7:00 p.m. \nJoin the Department of Biology for a public poster session highlighting current research. \nKeynote Lecture by Andrea Bodnar\, Ph.D.: 7:00-8:00 p.m. \nTopic: “The Ocean’s Methuselahs – Genomic Signatures of Exceptional Longevity and Negligible Aging in Sea Urchins” \nAbout the presenter: Dr. Andrea Bodnar is the Science Director at the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute\, where she works at the intersection of marine biology and human health. She has a unique background\, with formal training in biochemistry and neuroscience that led her to a position as a Senior Scientist at the Molecular Discovery Lab at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS)\, where she conducted research using sea urchins to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying longevity. Her current work takes advantage of the close genetic relationship between humans and urchins to understand the molecular and cellular pathways controlling lifespan and disease resistance\, searching for novel strategies for combating age-related diseases. \nEvent Sponsors \nUAB Department of Psychology\, Evelyn M. & Harold C. Martin Endowed Support Fund\, and UAB Honors College
URL:https://darwinday.org/event/the-oceans-methuselahs-genomic-signatures-of-exceptional-longevity-and-negligible-aging-in-sea-urchins/
LOCATION:University of Alabama – Birmingham\, 1200 10th Avenue South\, Birmingham\, AL\, 35205\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260212T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260212T190000
DTSTAMP:20260408T003708
CREATED:20260123T185442Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260123T185540Z
UID:46114-1770919200-1770922800@darwinday.org
SUMMARY:Charles Darwin in the Galapagos Islands
DESCRIPTION:Join us to learn about Charles Darwin’s journey to the Galapagos Islands and his theory of natural selection.
URL:https://darwinday.org/event/charles-darwin-in-the-galapagos-islands/
LOCATION:Gwinnett County Public Library\, 4817 Church St NW\, Lilburn\, GA\, 30047\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260212T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260212T193000
DTSTAMP:20260408T003708
CREATED:20260115T220042Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260115T223211Z
UID:45565-1770919200-1770924600@darwinday.org
SUMMARY:"Passenger Pigeon De-extinction: the Revolution of America's Forest Engineering bird"
DESCRIPTION:Celebrate Darwin Day 2026 with Ben Novak\nWe are honored to welcome Ben Novak\, Lead Scientist at Revive & Restore\, as our distinguished guest speaker for Darwin Day 2026. A pioneer in the field of genetic rescue and de-extinction\, Novak is at the forefront of using 21st-century biotechnology to restore lost biodiversity. \nHis groundbreaking work focuses on the intersection of paleogenomics and ecology\, specifically the ambitious mission to bring the passenger pigeon back from extinction. By bridging the gap between historical DNA and modern conservation\, Novak’s research explores how we can “re-evolve” species to restore the health of North America’s forest ecosystems. \n\nWhen: Thursday\, February 12th\, 2026\nWhere: Union Auditorium\nTime: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm\nTalk Title:“Passenger Pigeon De-extinction: The Re-evolution of America’s Forest Engineering Bird”\n\nPresented in collaboration with Ecology & Evolution (E&E) and  the Collaboarative for the Earth (C4E)\, Novak’s insights into genomic engineering and the future of evolutionary biology promise to be both enlightening and thought-provoking. Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to learn from a leading authority on the future of de-extinction!
URL:https://darwinday.org/event/passenger-pigeon-de-extinction-the-revolution-of-americas-forest-engineering-bird/
LOCATION:Stony Brook University\, 100 Circle Rd\, Stony Brook\, NY\, 11794\, United States
ORGANIZER;CN="Stony Brook University Ecology and Evolution":MAILTO:ecoevo_office@stonybrook.edu
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260212T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260212T200000
DTSTAMP:20260408T003708
CREATED:20260205T190316Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260205T190316Z
UID:47203-1770919200-1770926400@darwinday.org
SUMMARY:Humanists Celebrate Darwin Day
DESCRIPTION:We are celebrating the 217th birthday of Charles Darwin the best way we know how: with community\, curiosity\, and local flavor.\nDate: Feb 12\, 2026\nTime: 6:00 PM\nLocation: Wings Etc. (Meeting Room) – 2139 SW Fairlawn Plaza Dr\, Topeka\, KS 66614\nPlus One: Bring a guest! We’re building a movement\, and the more brains\, the better.\nFamilies: This is a kid-friendly event. Let’s inspire the next generation of skeptics and scientists.\nCome for the wings\, stay for the humanistic perspective.
URL:https://darwinday.org/event/humanists-celebrate-darwin-day/
LOCATION:Wings Etc\, 2139 SW Fairlawn Plaza Dr\, Topeka\, KS 66614\, 2139 SW Fairlawn Palaza Dr\, Topeka\, KS\, 66614\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260212T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260212T200000
DTSTAMP:20260408T003708
CREATED:20260112T165737Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260115T223131Z
UID:45223-1770922800-1770926400@darwinday.org
SUMMARY:'Damned beastly devilment:' Charles Darwin's dalliance with vertebrate fossils during the voyage of the Beagle
DESCRIPTION:Join the North Carolina Botanical Garden and the Carolina Biodiversity Collaborative for our annual Darwin Day Lecture!  \n‘Damned beastly devilment:’ Charles Darwin’s dalliance with vertebrate fossils during the voyage of the Beagle \nwith Paul Brinkman\, Environmental Humanities Research Lab Head and Curator of Special Collections\, NC Museum of Natural Sciences. Moderated by Damon Waitt\, NCBG Director. \n\nThursday\, February 12\, 2026 7:00 PM-8:00 PM ET; followed by a reception (featuring cake in honor of Darwin’s birthday!)\nIn-person and on Zoom\nFree; preregistration required. Register here >\n\nCharles Darwin\, with the help of his shipmates and a local network of landowners\, merchants\, and guides\, made an important collection of vertebrate fossils in South America during the voyage of HMS Beagle (1831-1836). At first\, Darwin doubted the usefulness of his fossils. Eventually\, however\, these specimens would prove to be the most satisfying as well as one of the most scientifically significant collections Darwin made during the voyage. This presentation will explore Darwin’s brief dalliance with vertebrate paleontology. \nAbout the Speaker \nPaul D. Brinkman is a museum curator with overlapping interests in the sciences and the humanities. He graduated from Augustana College with a B.A. degree in history and a minor in geology. In 2005\, he completed a Ph.D. in history of science at the University of Minnesota. A bibliophile and an avid traveler\, he is equally at home in the library or in the field. His research interest is in history of nineteenth-century natural sciences\, especially geology and paleontology. He has published a number of articles on Charles Darwin\, on museum history\, and on history of American vertebrate paleontology. His latest book\, Now is the Time to Collect: Daniel Elliot\, Carl Akeley\, & the Field Columbian Museum Zoological Expedition to Africa in 1896\, was published by the University of Alabama Press in 2024. He works at the N. C. Museum of Natural Sciences and teaches part-time in the History Department at N. C. State University.
URL:https://darwinday.org/event/damned-beastly-devilment-charles-darwins-dalliance-with-vertebrate-fossils-during-the-voyage-of-the-beagle/
LOCATION:North Carolina Botanical Garden\, 100 Old Mason Farm Road\, Chapel Hill\, 27517\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260212T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260212T200000
DTSTAMP:20260408T003708
CREATED:20260112T173304Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260115T223003Z
UID:45235-1770922800-1770926400@darwinday.org
SUMMARY:Journey into Darkness: The Allegory of the Cave
DESCRIPTION:NABT and NCSE are proud to present an encore presentation of the 2025 Evolution Symposium\, presented at the NABT Conference in St. Louis. \nPlan to join us on Thursday\, February 12th at 7:00 PM ET (6:00 PM CT\, 5:00 PM MT\, and 4:00 PM PT) for this free webinar featuring Rick and Lindsay Hunter. \nRick Hunter will share the amazing story of his co-discovery of the first-known fossils of Homo naledi. Rick Hunter is a caver and small-space specialist who\, along with Steven Tucker\, discovered the Dinaledi Chamber in the Rising Star cave system in the Cradle of Humankind in South Africa in 2013. \nK. Lindsay Hunter was one of six Advance Cave Archaeologists (known popularly as the “Underground Astronauts”) selected to excavate within the Rising Star cave system. She is an anthropologist and National Geographic Explorer for the National Geographic Society.Lindsay will discuss her participation in the initial excavation and how a diminutive human ancestor challenged established paleoanthropological views and practices in a big way. \n  \nAn email will be sent to those registered when the recording of this webinar is available on the NABT website.
URL:https://darwinday.org/event/journey-into-darkness-the-allegory-of-the-cave/
LOCATION:Zoom Webinar\, NY\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260212T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260212T210000
DTSTAMP:20260408T003708
CREATED:20260112T165335Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260115T223038Z
UID:45219-1770922800-1770930000@darwinday.org
SUMMARY:Today’s Junk\, Tomorrow’s Triumph: Lessons on Evolutionary Contingency\, Inertia\, and Innovation from the Long-Term Evolution Experiment with E. coli
DESCRIPTION:Please join us for a lecture\, Today’s Junk\, Tomorrow’s Triumph: Lessons on Evolutionary Contingency\, Inertia\, and Innovation from the Long-Term Evolution Experiment with E. coli presented by Evolutionary Biologist\, Dr. Zachary Blount. \nDr. Zachary Blount\, Evolutionary Biologist at Michigan State University\, is a principal researcher on the longest running evolutionary experiment in history. Dr. Blount has been a part of the experiment for over 20 years\, while the experiment\, began by Dr. Richard Lenski\, has been ongoing for almost 38 years. \nThe venue for this month’s lecture is the Fountain Street Church – Chapel. \nJoin us after the lecture for food and conversation!  We will reconvene at Palace of India: 138 Fulton St E\, Grand Rapids\, MI 49503. \nParking Information    \nMetered street parking is free after 7 PM. \nThe nearby GRCC Parking structure is available to the public. \n________________________ \nMichigan Humanists values the participation of all guests — requests for reasonable accommodation may be made by contacting the event host at least three days prior to the event. \nMichigan Humanists expects all guests to engage in respectful discussion. Please visit the Michigan Humanist Culture and Expectations page for more information. Speak to the event host or contact info@michiganhumanists.org if you feel these expectations are being violated. \nEvents are made possible by your financial support. Michigan Humanists is a 501(c)3 non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible as provided by law. Donations to Michigan Humanists can be made at https://www.michiganhumanists.org/donate/
URL:https://darwinday.org/event/todays-junk-tomorrows-triumph-lessons-on-evolutionary-contingency-inertia-and-innovation-from-the-long-term-evolution-experiment-with-e-coli/
LOCATION:Fountain Street Church – Chapel\, 24 Fountain NE\, Grand Rapids\, MI\, 49503\, United States
ORGANIZER;CN="Michigan Humanists":MAILTO:info@michiganhumanists.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20260212T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20260212T210000
DTSTAMP:20260408T003708
CREATED:20260115T220921Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260115T223105Z
UID:45571-1770922800-1770930000@darwinday.org
SUMMARY:Science Lounge – Darwin Day Valentine’s Soirée
DESCRIPTION:Join us as we honor Charles Darwin\, the father of evolutionary theory\, with a night of romance and discovery. Tickets are on-sale — grab yours now! \nDive into a lively mini-lecture with Dr. Paula Cushing\, senior curator of invertebrate zoology\, and Andrew Doll\, zoology collections manager\, as they reveal the wild world of animal mating rituals — a playful\, steamy look at love in nature. \nCreate your own Darwinian love letters! Inspired by Darwin’s famous “pros and cons” list before his proposal\, craft clever\, heartfelt Valentine’s gifts in our arts and crafts studio. Sip themed cocktails and mocktails\, explore science activations\, stargaze (weather permitting) and enjoy a night full of fun\, fascination and Valentine’s vibes. Don’t miss this unforgettable Science Lounge!
URL:https://darwinday.org/event/science-lounge-darwin-day-valentines-soiree/
LOCATION:The Denver Museum of Science and Nature\, 2001 Colorado Blvd.\, Denver\, CO\, United States
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260212T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260212T203000
DTSTAMP:20260408T003708
CREATED:20260123T190039Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260123T190039Z
UID:46122-1770924600-1770928200@darwinday.org
SUMMARY:Evolution Gone Wrong: The Curious Reasons Why Our Bodies Work (Or Don’t)
DESCRIPTION:Evolution Gone Wrong: The Curious Reasons Why Our Bodies Work (Or Don’t) \n\nEvolution Gone Wrong describes why the human body is uniquely prone to aches and pains. From poorly fitting teeth to blurry vision\, torn menisci to difficult births\, the history of our imperfections is rooted in our past. To understand our anatomy\, we take a tour around the animal kingdom from slimy hagfish to great apes and everything in between. Along the way\, we learn how we ended up with our brilliant\, jury-rigged\, and error-prone bodies. \nAlex Bezzerides is a biology professor and writer. He got hooked on biology during a two-week summer outdoor field class in the mountains of Colorado during high school. He graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in biology and a minor in music. Graduate school sent him east where he earned a PhD from Cornell University in neurobiology and behavior with research focused on the chemical ecology of insects. His first academic job was at a small college in northern Wisconsin. He eventually moved back west for a faculty position at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston\, Idaho where he teaches a wide range of classes and writes about the evolution of the human body. \nAlex’s broad training in biology and life spills over into his writing. His first book\, Evolution Gone Wrong\, is about the aches and pains of human anatomy and how they evolved. When he’s not teaching or writing\, he can often be found paddleboarding down the Snake and Clearwater rivers with his wife and daughter. \nJoin us! This is a free event brought to you by Bay Area Skeptics. All are welcome.
URL:https://darwinday.org/event/evolution-gone-wrong-the-curious-reasons-why-our-bodies-work-or-dont/
LOCATION:Online\, United States
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260212T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260212T210000
DTSTAMP:20260408T003708
CREATED:20260112T172321Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260112T172321Z
UID:45233-1770924600-1770930000@darwinday.org
SUMMARY:The genetic age: who shapes evolution now? with Professor Matthew Cobb
DESCRIPTION:Like all species\, humans have been inadvertently shaping the genomes of other species – predators and prey – throughout our history. And with the development of agriculture\, we began to specifically\, deliberately alter plants and animals through selective breeding. But in the second half of the 20th century\, that ability has taken on a new form. Not only do we have a far more precise understanding of how selection and heredity interact in agriculture\, but the invention of genetic engineering in the 1970s has changed things completely. \nWe can now change species at will. Not only has this transformed the pharmaceutical industry – allowing the cheap manufacture of drugs like insulin – it has also altered agriculture and now\, in the 21st century\, threatens to change ecosystems and even humanity itself. \nEvolution appears to be under our control\, but – as the molecular biologist Leslie Orgel warned us – evolution is smarter than we are. Looking at the past\, present\, and future of genetics\, we can glimpse both the promises and perils that await us. \n\nIn this 2026 Darwin Day Lecture\, Matthew Cobb will confront the shadow cast by our own ingenuity. Tracing the path from simple selective breeding to the ignition of a biological revolution\, he will explore a modern Promethean moment where the power to reshape life is no longer theoretical – but operational. \nAs the pace of discovery accelerates into a competitive sprint\, we’re challenged to consider whether we have merely stolen the fire of evolution\, or if we have sparked a chain reaction that we can no longer extinguish. \n\nAbout Professor Matthew Cobb\nMatthew Cobb is Professor Emeritus at the University of Manchester. His recent books include Crick: A Mind in Motion\, from DNA to the Brain and The Genetic Age: Our Perilous Quest to Edit Life. He was the presenter of the BBC Radio series Genetic Dreams\, Genetic Nightmares. In 2024 he won the Royal Society’s Wilkins-Bernal-Medawar Medal\, and in 2021 was awarded the J. B. S. Haldane Lecture by the Genetics Society. \nAbout the Darwin Day Lecture series\nThe Darwin Day Lecture explores humanism and humanist thought as related to science and evolution\, Charles Darwin\, or his works. The Darwin medallist has made a significant contribution in one of these fields. \nThe lecture and medal are named and held to mark the annual global celebration of the birth of Charles Darwin\, held every 12 February.
URL:https://darwinday.org/event/the-genetic-age-who-shapes-evolution-now-with-professor-matthew-cobb/
LOCATION:Conway Hall\, 25 Red Lion Square\, London\, WC1R 4RL\, United Kingdom
ORGANIZER;CN="Humanists UK":MAILTO:events@humanists.uk
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260212T193000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260212T210000
DTSTAMP:20260408T003708
CREATED:20260122T193911Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260122T193911Z
UID:46004-1770924600-1770930000@darwinday.org
SUMMARY:The Genetic Book of the Dead with Richard Dawkins
DESCRIPTION:Richard Dawkins will be in conversation about his latest book on evolution for the Milner Centre for Evolution’s Darwin Day event. \n\n\n\nRichard Dawkins Live Event at the University of Bath\nGet ready for the Milner Centre for Evolution’s Darwin Day event! This will be an unforgettable evening with Richard Dawkins in conversation with Milner Centre for Evolution Director\, Professor Turi King\, where he will be discussing his latest book on evolution: The Genetic Book of the Dead. This is an opportunity to hear from one of the world’s leading scientific figures about the power of Darwinian evolution and how examining organisms of today can tell us about past worlds. Grab your spot! \nWe are collecting questions ahead of the event to form the public question and answer session at the end. If you’d like to ask Richard Dawkins a question\, please do email it to: milnerdirector@bath.ac.uk with the subject line: Richard Dawkins event question. \nWe do expect this event to sell out quickly so if you book a ticket\, if you find you you aren’t able to attend\, then please return your ticket so that they can go to the next person on the waiting list. \nPlease note there will be a bag search on the door.
URL:https://darwinday.org/event/the-genetic-book-of-the-dead-with-richard-dawkins/
LOCATION:Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath\, 4 East South\, Claverton Down\, Bath\, BA2 7AY\, United Kingdom
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