The rivers and streams that crisscross Bedford—including the pristine Mianus River running through the Bedford Village Historic District—and the lands around them, are brimming with life. Some of it is visible to the naked eye, yet mysteries abound both above and below the ground. Come learn all about the distinctive ecology of Bedford, in the company of friends and neighbors.

Each Bedford Field Notes program will be moderated by “CBS Sunday Morning” correspondent David Pogue, seven-time Emmy winner, five-time TED speaker, host of 20 “NOVA”science specials on PBS, creator of the CBS News podcast “Unsung Science.”

2026 Program

Wednesday, April 15: BIRDS

Birds are among the most visible and beloved wildlife in Bedford, offering a daily source of beauty, curiosity, and discovery. Dr. Andrew Farnsworth of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, along with Mianus River Gorge’s Budd Veverka, will explore how birds can serve as a powerful lens on the health of our landscapes—revealing the richness of local biodiversity, the importance of different habitats, and the many ways wildlife and human communities coexist. Using research from the Cornell Lab and tools like eBird and Merlin, Farnsworth will show how careful observation—from backyard feeders to woodland trails—can deepen our understanding of the natural world. Whether you’re an avid birder or simply someone who enjoys the sights and sounds of birds around your home, you’ll come away with a new appreciation for the role birds play in connecting us to the land.

Speakers:

• Dr. Andrew Farnsworth, Visiting Scientist, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

• Budd Veverka, Director of Conservation & Stewardship, Mianus River Gorge

Forests are one of the defining features of Bedford’s landscape—but they are also living systems constantly changing in response to climate, wildlife, invasive species, and human activity. Forester and bestselling author Ethan Tapper, along with Mianus River Gorge’s Rod Christie, will help us see the woods with new eyes, exploring what it really means to care for forests today. Drawing on his experience managing forests in the Northeast, Tapper will explain how forests grow, adapt, and sometimes struggle—and how thoughtful stewardship can help them become healthier and more resilient over time. For anyone who walks local trails, owns woodland, or simply values the wooded character of our community, this conversation will offer a deeper understanding of the forests that surround us and the role we can all play in their future.

Speakers:

• Ethan Tapper, Forester, Ecologist, Bestselling Author, and Digital Storyteller

• Rod Christie, Executive Director, Mianus River Gorge

The world of insects is far more fascinating—and far more important—than most of us realize. Dr. Jessica Ware, award-winning entomologist and curator the American Museum of Natural History, will introduce us to the astonishing diversity of insects that share our landscapes, from bees and butterflies to dragonflies, beetles, and ants. She and Mianus River Gorge’s Dr. Chris Nagy will explain why these tiny creatures play an outsized role in healthy ecosystems—pollinating plants, recycling nutrients, and supporting the food web. Bedford residents will leave with a new sense of curiosity about the insects they encounter every day, and a clearer understanding of how our choices—from gardening to land stewardship—affect the smallest members of our local ecosystem.

Speakers:

• Dr. Jessica Ware, Chair of the Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History

• Dr. Chris Nagy, Director of Research and Education, Mianus River Gorge