I presented a community lecture at SITE Santa Fe (a contemporary art space in downtown Santa Fe) as part of their “Digest This!” series.
I talked about the recent parakeet invasion in Mexico, going in to the biology and natural history of invasions, and how the biological side interacts with the human side through politics, international trade, and regulations.
I also discussed the importance of parrots to ancient people of New Mexico, and why (unlike the monk parakeets in modern times) macaws transported and traded from southern Mexico in pre-colonial times didn’t become invasive in our area.
I was paired with Roxanne Swentzell, who discussed how she has reconnected with traditional pueblo foods to promote health in her community. She also brought some very tasty dessert tamales that we all got to try, filled with a combination of currants and pine nuts.
“Santa Fe Institute Postdoctoral Fellow, Elizabeth Hobson, will provide a survey lecture on her research of the recent, rapid invasion of monk parakeets in Mexico. Roxanne Swentzell, member of Santa Clara Pueblo, artist, owner of Tower Gallery, and Director of Flowering Tree Permaculture Institute, will speak about “The Pueblo Food Experience,” a project of reconnecting to our roots for a healthier future. Swentzell will also provide samplings of pre-contact Pueblo foods for the audience to taste and enjoy.”
