The Pérez-Silverman Symposium: Promoting Urban Ecology
A two-day event dedicated to biodiversity, conservation, and ecological resilience in urban environments. For more information on the event, please scroll down below to the event schedule.
Tuesday, April 15, 2025 | 7 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 | 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
California State University, Los Angeles
5151 State University Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90032
Confirm your attendance by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 11, 2025 (new date), by clicking on the Register Here button below.
Questions about the event? Contact the College of Natural and Social Sciences at [email protected].
Schedule of Events
D A Y 1 | T U E S D A Y, A P R I L 1 5, 2 0 2 5
Day one begins with a Bird Tour on Campus, followed by expert discussions on urban wildlife, native plants, and wildfire recovery featuring experts from Cal State LA and Loyola Marymount University. Attendees will also have the opportunity to explore an art exhibition featuring Jeff Silverman’s photography of Los Angeles’ urban wildlife before participating in a Seed Harvesting Workshop led by Artemisia Nursery.
Location:
Meet at the Golden Eagle Statue by 7:00am
University Main Walkway by University Library
Dr. Eric Wood’s graduate students will guide students, faculty, and guests on an immersive bird-watching experience, showcasing the diverse and vibrant bird species that call Cal State LA home. This guided tour offers a unique opportunity to observe these birds in their natural habitat and learn about their role in the campus ecosystem.
Location:
Golden Eagle Ballroom
Golden Eagle Building, 3rd floor
Birds and Seeds will explore the intricate connections between urban wildlife, native plants, and environmental resilience. Dr. Eric Wood will present Birds in the City, a visual journey into how birds reflect the health of our urban ecosystems, highlighting the role of backyard habitats, native plants, and open spaces in supporting biodiversity. Dr. Kirsten Fisherwill discuss the importance of urban plants and biodiversity, emphasizing how native vegetation sustains wildlife and fosters resilient ecosystems. Dr. Eric Strauss and Lisa Fimiani from Loyola Marymount University’s Center for Urban Resilience will examine the impact of wildfires in Southern California in their talk, After the Fires, focusing on causes, consequences, and strategies for recovery. The session will also feature an art exhibition displaying Jeff Silverman’s photography of urban birds and insects, offering a visual perspective on Los Angeles’ diverse ecology.
Dr. Eric Wood, Professor of Biology at Cal State LA, will present “Birds in the City,” a visual journey into what birds can tell us about our urban environment. From backyard habitats to native plants and open spaces, Dr. Wood will showcase the unique ecology of birds in Los Angeles and the ways our city supports their survival.
Dr. Kirsten Fisher, Professor of Biology and Department Chair at Cal State LA, will discuss Urban plants and Biodiversity, highlighting the critical role native vegetation plays in sustaining urban wildlife and fostering resilient ecosystems.
Dr. Eric Strauss, Executive Director of Loyola Marymount University’s Center for Urban Resilience (CURes), and Lisa Fimiani, the Drollinger Environmental Leadership Fellow at CURes, will explore Wildfires in our Region. Their talk titled ‘After the Fires’ will examine the causes, consequences, and strategies for mitigating and growing impacts of wildfires in Southern California with a focus on the recent Eaton and Palisades Fires.
Art Exhibition and Refreshments: Students, faculty, and guests will have the chance to explore Jeff Silverman’s captivating photography, showcasing the vibrant world of urban birds and insects in Los Angeles. This visual exhibition offers a unique perspective on the city’s hidden wildlife, capturing the beauty and resilience of nature in an urban setting.
Location:
Janice Cordova Garden of Well-Being
By University Main Walkway, across from Lot 4
Join Antonio Sanchez of Artemisia Nursery, Los Angeles for a hands-on Seed Harvesting Workshop, where students, faculty, and guests will learn the art of identifying, cleaning, sowing, and germinating native plants of Southern California. This interactive session will provide practical skills for restoring native habitats and fostering ecological resilience in urban spaces.
D A Y 2 | W E D N E S D A Y, A P R I L 1 6, 2 0 2 5
On day two, the symposium continues with a tree planting session, where attendees will participate in the planting an Engelmann Oak Tree and scatter native seeds to enhance campus biodiversity. Through guided tours, workshops, and expert discussions, the symposium offers a hands-on approach to sustaining urban ecology in Los Angeles.
Location:
Lot 3 (across the Wallis Annenberg Integrated Science Complex) NEW LOCATION
The Urban Ecology Center with support from North East Trees, Inc. will lead an insightful presentation on the trees of Cal State LA, highlighting their ecological significance and role in urban sustainability. Following the talk, attendees will take part in a tree planting ceremony, planting an Engelmann Oak Tree, and scattering native seeds to support campus biodiversity.