PG Museum of Natural History Launches Year-long Virtual Speaker series to Echo ‘Changes’ Exhibit

  The series begins on Feb. 25 with featured speaker Dr. Doug Smith, a professor in the Applied Environmental Science Department at CSU Monterey Bay. Dr. Smith teaches watershed science courses at undergraduate and graduate levels, including geology, geomorphology and hydrology. 

Pacific Grove, CA, February 16, 2021 - In support of its upcoming new exhibit “Changes,” the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History has announced a year-long speaker series as part of its popular Hardcore Natural History program. 

“Changes” will offer layers of interpretation for those who want to dive deeper into a main message: change has occurred, and will continue to occur, in the ecosystems of Monterey County. 

The speaker series will echo those sentiments, focusing on changes in these habitats over time, the impact of humans in these landscapes, and the role of humans in protecting them for the future. Local researchers and advocates will address the science behind current issues facing the coastal, valley and mountain habitats of Monterey County. 

Hosted by the museum, the free webinar series will be held through Zoom on the last Thursday of each month from 6-7 p.m. Presenters will include local environmental scientists and activists making interactive presentations and a question-and-answer session. 

The series begins on Feb. 25 with featured speaker Dr. Doug Smith, a professor in the Applied Environmental Science Department at CSU Monterey Bay. Dr. Smith teaches watershed science courses at undergraduate and graduate levels, including geology, geomorphology and hydrology. His talk, titled Sea Level Rise in Southern Monterey Bay: Process, Protection, and Habitat Impact, will discuss how coastal erosion has impacted southern Monterey Bay and its inhabitants over time.  And will examine the impacts we might expect to see on beaches, structures, and endangered species in this coastal habitat in the future.  

Although admission is free, the currently-closed museum encourages audience members to make a contribution to help create future online programming during the pandemic. Audience members must register online prior to the event to receive a link to the webinar. 

For more information visit www.pgmuseum.org/lectures. 

Contact: 
Marci Bracco Cain 
The Buzz PR LLC 
Salinas, CA 
(831) 747-7455 
http://www.pgmuseum.org

PG Museum of Natural History names Liese Murphree as new Director of Programs, Exhibits and Collections

 Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History has named Liese Murphree as its new Director of Programs, Exhibits, and Collections. 

Pacific Grove, CA, January 15, 2021 — Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History has named Liese Murphree as its new Director of Programs, Exhibits, and Collections. 

The former director of STEM Sparks, a nonprofit focused on inquiry science and engineering outreach and online learning for K-8 students, has more than 20 years experience in the classroom and in museum education.  

Murphree earned a Ph.D. in Soil Science (Chemistry) from the University of California, Davis, and earned dual majors (Chemistry and Environmental Studies) from Oberlin College, Ohio. 

The Monterey resident taught high school and college chemistry and was a science and STEM educator at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and ScienceWorks Hands-on Museum in Ashland, Oregon. 

“I look forward to working with the talented staff at PGNHM to bring new ideas, new programs, and new audiences to the museum,” Murphree said.

Murphree’s arrival comes at a critical time for the popular downtown museum, which has remained closed to the public since March 2020 due to the pandemic.

 “Liese Murphree brings not only the education, science and management background we were seeking, but also abiding passion for our mission and service to the community, said PGMNH president Tama Olver. “With Liese’s leadership our programs and exhibits will continue to inspire ‘discovery, wonder and stewardship of the natural world' through the challenges of the pandemic and beyond.” 

In March of 2020, PGMNH pivoted to virtual programming, including its innovative Museum to You series that proved to be a resourceful digital solution to help entertain and enlighten the community during the pandemic. 

Education has always been the cornerstone of the museum’s mission. Before the pandemic, the museum’s free field trips were always a trusted resource for teachers who wanted their students to access additional hands-on science learning. The museum has continued to support teachers and students, providing virtual field trip opportunities for students of all ages 

In addition, the museum’s STREAM Project (Scientific Training, Research, Education and Monitoring) has helped inspire the next generations of scientists and conservationists. Through hands-on museum visits, outdoor learnings, and community science projects, the museum's education programming has used local species and stories to empower students through scientific skills and knowledge. 

Contact: 
Marci Bracco Cain 
The Buzz PR LLC 
Salinas, CA 
(831) 747-7455 
https://www.pgmuseum.org/