Lecture – What Makes Us Human? Lessons from the Study of Wild Chimpanzees by John Mitani
Common chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park. Author: Ikiwaner. Source: Wikimedia Commons.
This evening leading Primate behavioral ecologist John Mitani will reveal interesting parallels between humans and chimpanzees with respect to friendships, longevity and cooperation. Humans form long-lasting friendships, live a very long time, and are an unusually prosocial and cooperative species. Mitani’s 23-year study of an unusually large community of chimpanzees at Ngogo in Kibale National Park, Uganda indicate that the gap between them and us in these regards may be smaller than previously thought.
Research of the dwindling populations chimpanzees and their sister species, the bonobo–humankind’s closest living relatives–continues to challenge our notions of what makes us human.
Animal behaviorist Dr. John Mitani of the University of Michigan has conducted fieldwork with all five apes over the past 40 years. He has received five Leakey Foundation grants for his research on primate behavior and now is a member of the Scientific Executive Committee of The Leakey Foundation.
This event is co-sponsored by The Leakey Foundation.
Tuesday, April 17, 2018 – 6:30 PM
Members $12, Tickets $18
Class – Edible Landscapes
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Author: Daderot at en.wikipedia. Source: Wikimedia Commons.
This class will discuss the basics of good landscape design based on sound gardening principles and aesthetic beauty.
Included will be instruction on how to design the basic components of the garden space and how to accomplish much of this through the use of food plants – from traditional vegetable crops to edible flowers, fruit trees and more.
Instructor Angela Chandler teaches several popular classes for Urban Harvest.
Saturday, April 21, 2018 – 9:30 AM
Member $30, Tickets $40
Lecture – Medieval Arms Race
Throughout the Middle Ages competition between offensive and defensive arms resulted in a constant stream of innovation and evolution that resulted in the magnificent suits of armor and gracefully proportioned weapons on display in the current collection. Historian David Wise will explore the science behind the arms race including the methods used to improve the strength and durability of the materials used. Wise will also explain the evolution in design and techniques that resulted in ever improving defensive capabilities of the armor. The presentation will then conclude with some observations on the changing role of armor as the middle ages transitioned through the Renaissance and beyond.
Tuesday, April 24, 2018 – 6:30 PM
Members $12, Tickets $18
