In Conversation with Suzanne Simard

Moderated by Rande Cook With her bestselling book Finding the Mother Tree, forest ecologist Suzanne Simard advanced a revelatory—and now broadly accepted—paradigm for the profound intelligence and interconnectedness of trees. Her follow-up, When the Forest Breathes: Renewal and Resilience in the Natural World, is described by Booklist as “a potent mix of superb science writing, environmental advocacy, and a sense of spirituality inspired by her close connection with the natural world.” Leading one of the most ambitious climate research initiatives ever undertaken, and working closely with Indigenous stewards, she and her team examined how human interventions affect new growth and fire risk in British Columbia and uncovered the ways that nature’s deep-rooted cycles of renewal can ensure the longevity of threatened ecosystems. When the Forest Breathes is an emboldening declaration that when we take responsible steps, reversing the effects of climate change is within reach. For this event, Simard speaks with Rande Cook, artist and Hereditary Chief of the Ma’amtagila First Nation. Together they are members of Awinakola: Tree of Life, a research group Cook founded, made up of Indigenous knowledge keepers, scientists, and artists sharing cross-disciplinary research practices to develop strategies to heal the planet, heal the people, and change culture. IMPORTANT DETAILS: 1.) Doors open at 7:00. Seating is not assigned. 2 .) For accessibility information please refer to the "accessibility" tab at victoriafestivalofauthors.ca. 3 .) There is no general parking at the theatre. Free parking is available on side streets (Moss Street, Linden Avenue, and Fort Street), as well as the Central Middle School parking lot on Fort Street. Please abide by parking signs; do not park where it is posted Residential Only, as you may be ticketed. Please give yourself plenty of time to find parking before your event. 4.) Contact VFA by September 30 for ASL interpretation or in-person captioning.