The Entangled Natures series explores the complex and often fraught relationships between humans, animals, and nature. In a time of rapid and profound environmental transformation, environmental humanities perspectives – from history, literature, ethics, philosophy, theology, art, critical race studies, gender studies, cultural studies – can help us understand the history of these changes, how culture is entangled with nature, and the meaning and politics of environmental crises such as climate change and biodiversity loss, as well as to imagine possible solutions for these problems.
This series of events builds on and complements the Global Conversations visits of Jori Lewis and Robin Wall Kimmerer and the Campus Read of Kimmerer's The Serviceberry during the 2026-2027 academic year. Please check back regularly for information about upcoming events.
Fall 2026 Events
Settler Colonialism & the Environment
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 @ 4:00 - 5:30pm in UHall 3002
Join Clare Beer (Urban & Environmental Studies), Nicolas Rosenthal (History), and Rebecca Wall (History) for a discussion about how settler colonialism has remade environments around the world, dispossessing people from their land, remaking landscapes, and transforming the relationships between humans, animals, and nature – in ways that continue to reverberate today.
Traditional Ecological Knowledge and the Arts
Wednesday, December 2, 2026 @ 1:45 - 3:30pm in UHall 3002
Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), or Indigenous Ecological Knowledge, is often understood as the knowledge and practices that have been passed through generations, informed by intimate and sustaining relationships with the environment. It is threatened by settler colonialism, a process by which settlers have attempted to replace Indigenous populations and impose their own environmental practices based on different values. Our current ecological crisis has led to a new interest in TEK, creating opportunities for its resurgence and the cultural lifeways it supports. Join us for a discussion of TEK and its innovative expression through the arts with Gerald Clarke (Cahuilla) and Mercedes Dorame (Tongva), two distinguished scholars and accomplished artists from Native California communities.
Sponsors: Indigenous Working Group, Division of Mission, Department of History, Phi Beta Kappa, Marymount Institute
Spring 2027 Events
Nature(s) of Language, Language(s) of Nature
Wednesday, January 27th @ 3:45 - 5:15pm in UHall 3002
With Jared Coleman (Computer Science) Evelyn McDonnell (Journalism, Claire Stanford (English), and Brian Treanor (Philosophy)
Ecological Imaginaries
coming in March
with Katia Chaterji (Asian & Asian American Studies), Roy Fisher (Theological Studies), Kweku John (English), and Nicole Van Lier (Environmental Studies)
Building Sustainable Worlds
coming in April