Eric J. Simon Talks
Eric J. Simon, Ph.D. is an internationally recognized expert in biology education and a celebrated communicator of nature.
Eric's Recent and Upcoming Talks
Tuesday
8/5/2025
The Art of Conservation: John Muir, Ansel Adams, and Yosemite National Park
Celebrated naturalist, promoter of national parks, founder of The Sierra Club: John Muir led a life focused on conserving nature’s splendor. Ansel Adams is America’s best known landscape photographer. Learn and see how their lives and different approaches to art intersected to help promote and protect Yosemite National Park.
3:00PM-4:15 PM
Zoom via DOROT
Free and open to the public
6 Mondays
9/15/2025-10/27/2025
Biology & Society
Eric Simon is internationally recognized as one of the world’s leading authorities on how to teach biology to non-scientists. Join Eric as he dives into any one of a number of fascinating topics, including personal genomic testing, DNA forensics, transgenic organisms, cloning, cancer, and genetic engineering.
4:30PM-6:30 PM
Zoom via OLLI-Berkeley
Open to all; membership and course fee required
4 Thursdays
9/25/2025-10/23/2025
John James Audubon and The Birds of New Hampshire
I discuss the life of celebrated naturalist John James Audubon with an emphasis on his revolutionary book The Birds of America, often called the finest illustrated book ever produced. This talk will be customized to discuss birds in your area.
TBD
Rivermead retirement community, Peterborough, NH
Free and open to all
6 Thursdays
10/16/2025-11/20/2025
In Darwin’s Footsteps: A Journey to the Galapagos
This talk follows Charles Darwin’s 1831-6 around-the-world voyage of discovery aboard HMS Beagle with an emphasis on the Galapagos archipelago. It includes many original photographs from two trips Eric lead to the Galapagos.
11:00AM-12:30PM
Via OSHER online Zoom
Open to all;membership and course fee required
Friday
11/27/2025
Beatrix Potter: Painting the Secret Life of Fungi
You’ve heard of Beatrix Potter as a celebrated children’s author. Now delve into her lesser-known side as a talented mycological artist and scientific observer.
10:30AM-12:00 PM
OLLI-UNH
Open to all; membership and course fee required
Eric's Past Talks
Thursday 05/22/2025
Metamorphosis Mastered: Maria Sibylla Merian, Art, and the Birth of Modern Entomology
Discover the groundbreaking contributions of Maria Sibylla Merian, a 17th-century artist and naturalist who revolutionized our understanding of insect life cycles through her stunningly detailed illustrations. This talk explores how her pioneering work bridged art and science, laying the foundation for modern entomology and ecological study
10:30-11:30 AM
Tewksbury Public Library
Free and open to all
Ongoing through 5/30/2025
Eight 90-minute classes
In Darwin’s Footsteps: A Journey to the Galapagos
This talk follows Charles Darwin’s 1831-6 around-the-world voyage of discovery aboard HMS Beagle with an emphasis on the Galapagos archipelago.
Take any time as part of OLLI-Berkeley's "Best of OLLI" series.
Zoom.
Open to all.
Membership & course fee required.
Thursday
04/03/2025
Beatrix Potter: Painting the Secret Life of Fungi
You’ve heard of Beatrix Potter as a celebrated children’s author. Now delve into her lesser-known side as a talented mycological artist and scientific observer.
1:00-2:00 PM
Rivermead Lifecare Community
Peterborough, NH
FREE and open to the public
Thursdays starting 04/03/2025
Six 2-hour classes
John James Audubon & The Birds of America
I discuss the life of celebrated naturalist John James Audubon with an emphasis on his revolutionary book The Birds of America, often called the finest illustrated book ever produced.
4:00-6:00 PM
OLLI-Berkeley
Zoom
Open to all.
Membersihp & course fee required
Tuesdays starting 04/08/2025
Five 90-minute classes
Alexander von Humboldt’s Hero’s Journey to South America
Learn about the life of the 19th century’s most famous scientist and his groundbreaking and celebrated five-year journey to South America.
10:00-11:30AM
LINEC (Learning Institute at New England College)
Zoom.
Open to all
Membership & course fee required
Thursday 04/17/2025
The Art of Conservation: John Muir, Ansel Adams, and Yosemite National Park
Celebrated naturalist, promoter of national parks, founder of The Sierra Club: John Muir led a life focused on conserving nature’s splendor. Ansel Adams is America’s best known landscape photographer. Learn and see how their lives and different approaches to art intersected to help promote and protect Yosemite National Park.
10:30-11:30 AM
Tewksbury Public Library
Free and open to all