Phipps Conservatory’s Climate Toolkit Expands Reach to Field Stations and Nature Centers
For Immediate Release: Tues., Dec. 3
Contact: Joe Reed | Director of Marketing and Communications
412-622-6915, ext. 3801 | jreed@phipps.conservatory.org
Phipps Conservatory's Climate Toolkit Expands Reach to Field Stations and Nature Centers
Organization of Biological Field Stations Joins as Official Partner
Pittsburgh, PA – Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is excited to announce that The Climate Toolkit is now open to field stations and nature centers. The Toolkit was started by Phipps in 2020 as a collaborative opportunity for museums, gardens and zoos to aggressively address climate change within their own organizations and inspire the communities they serve to follow their lead. With this key expansion, the Toolkit seeks to leverage the knowledge and experience of these important research, teaching and engagement spaces worldwide — many of which are focused on the observation and collection of data on environmental change and engaging the public in developing a deeper understanding of their ecosystems.
Coinciding with this new expansion, The Climate Toolkit has officially partnered with the Organization of Biological Field Stations (OBFS), an all-volunteer run U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit composed of field stations and marine labs from around the globe. According to OBFS President Rhonda Struminger, “OBFS is dedicated to supporting environmental research, education, and public understanding of science at our member stations and beyond. Climate change is impacting all of our work and the Toolkit provides key resources we need to reduce our carbon footprint.” Within the first week of this partnership, various field stations have joined from areas as diverse as the Northwest Territories (Inuvik), Canada; Hidalgo, Mexico; and Austin, Texas. To date, 211 institutions from 25 countries serving more than 102,500,000 annual visitors have joined the Climate Toolkit initiative.
Field stations are centers of outdoor-learning and teaching that support researchers doing place-based science. At field stations, scientists, educators and staff aim to better understand the earth's processes, biodiversity and the role of humans in environmental changes. Nature centers are organizations with a physical presence, usually in a protected open space, which seek to educate visitors about nature and ecology. Both institution types provide ample opportunity to engage the public on matters involving climate and the environment.
“A huge benefit of participating in the Climate Toolkit is that each institution can share what they are doing, facilitate mentoring and learn new ways of addressing climate change from other institutions,” says Phipps President and CEO Richard Piacentini. “We are excited to widen the scope of institutions to field stations and nature centers and look forward to addressing climate change together.”
Currently, the Climate Toolkit embraces 33 goals across nine focus areas for addressing climate change which include buildings and energy, water, food service, transportation, transportation, waste, landscapes and horticulture, investments, internal and external engagement, and research. With the addition of field stations and nature centers, many of which are currently conducting cutting-edge climate studies, will provide a wealth of knowledge to toolkit participants.
To learn more, visit climatetoolkit.org.
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About Colin Aikins: Colin Aikins, a heralded tenor from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania possessing “command and fervor in the voice” (NPR, WHYY, Philadelphia), is currently pursuing is Masters in Vocal Performance at the Juilliard School under the tutelage of William Burden where he received the prestigious Toulmin Foundation Scholarship. Colin was awarded his bachelors degree at the Curtis Institute of Music where he studied with Julia Faulkner of the Chicago Lyric Opera. His performances have been described as “supernal”, “unforgettable” and “for which… words are no match” (Voce di Meche). Andrea Bocelli told the Pittsburgh Tribune Review that Aikins was “a young man of great talent and a very promising voice”. Most recently, he made his role debut as Alfredo from Verdi’s La Traviata with City Lyric Opera. For the Juilliard School he performed the roles of Gherardo in Gianni Schicchi, Jimmy O’Keefe in Later the Same Evening, was a soloist in King Arthur with Juilliard415, along with performing in several recitals including Juilliard Songfest by Brian Zeger, New York Festival of Song by Steven Blier, and Liederabend under the direction of Pierre Vallet. Colin was featured in many productions for the Curtis Opera Theater including Mr. Upfold in Albert Herring, Chavalier de Danceny in Dangerous Liaisons, Nate in Highway 1 USA, the Beadle in Sweeney Todd, the Trio in Trouble in Tahiti and was Fenton in Falstaff for the Aspen Opera Center. Colin has received numerous awards including being named a 2023 Schwab Vocal Rising Star, a winner in the 2021 Hal Leonard Vocal Competition, a 2018 Vocal Finalist in the National Young Arts Competition, a 2018 NPR From the Top Finalist, a 2017 Classical Singer Vocal Competition National First Place winner, and First Place in the 2015 Schmidt Vocal Competition at the National Opera Center in New York City. Colin’s ambition is to reveal to audiences the enthralling and extraordinary potency of opera, merging the legacy of its legends with a contemporary perspective.
About James Lesniak: A native of Kenosha, Wisconsin, James Lesniak joined the Pittsburgh Opera music staff in 2006. After initial studies with Sheila Wiesztort, he received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Indiana University, where he studied with pianists Menahem Pressler, Karen Shaw, and Evelyne Brancart, with the mentorship and influence of Nicolas Larin. His university credits include music staff work for Mississippi State University and the Indiana University Opera Theatre. Further studies included an apprenticeship with the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program at Washington National Opera for two seasons, where he gave his stage debut in the non-singing/piano playing role of Lazinski in Fedora at the Kennedy Center, accompanying Plácido Domingo in the opera. In addition, Mr. Lesniak has served on the coaching staff of Brevard Music Center, Glimmerglass Opera, Washington National Opera at the Kennedy Center and the National Symphony. He has been an official pianist for the Metropolitan Opera Laffont National Council Auditions, and also made his conducting debut in 2017 with Pittsburgh Opera’s production of composer Laura Kaminsky’s As One, and conducted Pittsburgh Opera’s productions of Glory Denied, The Rose Elf, and most recently, Proving Up. For the summer months, he frequently returns to the music staff of the prestigious Santa Fe Opera, where he has served as Musical Director for their Winter Concert Tour and was on the music staff for the Grammy Award winning production of The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs.
About Phipps: Founded in 1893, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh, PA is a globally recognized green leader with a mission to inspire and educate all with the beauty and importance of plants; to advance sustainability and promote human and environmental well-being through action and research; and to celebrate its historic glasshouse. Encompassing 15 acres including a historic 14-room glasshouse, 23 distinct indoor and outdoor gardens and industry-leading sustainable architecture and operations, Phipps attracts more than half a million visitors annually from around the world. Learn more at phipps.conservatory.org.
Phipps is proud to be a 2024 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities.
Watch TEDx: What We Can Learn From an Old Glasshouse: A look at the evolving way we connect people to nature at Phipps, demonstrate how human and environmental health are inextricably connected, and show that to age gracefully, we must continually reinvent ourselves to evolve with the rest of the world.
