2026 Triangle
Environmental Symposium
Trees for the Triangle is proud to collaborate with the Town of Apex to host the fourth annual Triangle Environmental Symposium (formerly Cary Environmental Symposium) at the Halle Cultural Arts Center. From August 27 to September 17, we invite you to join us for an exciting lineup of presentations, performances, and discussions. Each event is designed to inspire thoughtful and principled civic debate on the challenges facing our air, land, water, and the effects those challenges have on life here in Apex and on earth.
We'll be giving away Longleaf pine seedlings at the events!
Tickets to Events
Links to Apex's ticketing service will be posted in the descriptions of the presentations by June 2026. Any profit from this event will support Trees for the Triangle in its mission of planting 50,000 trees by the year 2050.
We'll be giving away Longleaf pine seedlings at the events!
Tickets to Events
Links to Apex's ticketing service will be posted in the descriptions of the presentations by June 2026. Any profit from this event will support Trees for the Triangle in its mission of planting 50,000 trees by the year 2050.
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Symposium Kickoff Remarks
The Honorable Jacques Gilbert Mayor of the Town of Apex Thursday, August 27, 2026 Halle Cultural Arts Center Remarks delivered at 7:00 pm |
Program Highlights
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Rooted in Justice: Growing Healthy Communities
Panel Discussion Moderated by Apex Mayor Pro-Tem Terry Mahaffey and Trees for the Triangle Board Member Archana Lamichhane Thursday, August 11, 2024 Cary Arts Center Doors Open: 6:30 pm Program: 7:00 pm Admission is $5. Please reserve tickets in advance. Seating is General Admission. Tickets go on sale in June |
Join us for Rooted in Justice, an engaging panel discussion that digs deep into the local history of environmental justice movements, and the communities that continue to speak for ecological restoration. Featuring Reverend Robert Jemonde Taylor, eleventh rector of Saint Ambrose Episcopal Church; Alexandra Valladares, President of Comunidad de Durham and former Clinical Research Specialist at Duke University; Ryan Emanuel, Hydrologist and Professor at Duke University and Author of On the Swamp: Fighting for Indigenous Environmental Justice; Sarah Brim, Community Watershed Ambassador of Partners for Environmental Justice; and Sandra Villasenor, Environmental Educator at the Haw River Assembly and Town of Apex Environmental Advisory Board Member, this conversation will explore how advocacy and action lead to building more resilient communities.
Learn how these individuals have driven and continue to drive change in their communities to protect and speak up for their friends, family, and loved ones. Moderated by Town of Apex Mayor Pro-Tem Terry Mahaffey and Trees for the Triangle Board Member Archana Lamichhane.
Learn how these individuals have driven and continue to drive change in their communities to protect and speak up for their friends, family, and loved ones. Moderated by Town of Apex Mayor Pro-Tem Terry Mahaffey and Trees for the Triangle Board Member Archana Lamichhane.
The way we currently manage the suburban and urban landscape is creating a wasteland and harming the well-being of Earth. Fortunately, we have an alternative path: We can work with natural systems instead of working against them. By doing so, we can help heal Earth. We also save time and money because we perform fewer tasks and use fewer products. Best of all, these are simple things that anyone can do regardless of their knowledge or experience.
When you ask Basil what he thinks about himself, he'll tell you he is incredibly lucky. He has family he loves dearly, friends and colleagues who inspire him, and every day he gets to care for trees, soil, and flowers. He pursues his purpose and passions as the co-founder of Leaf & Limb and Project Pando. He is a Treecologist, ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, Duke University graduate, Wizard of Things, and author of "From Wasteland to Wonder – Easy Ways to Help Heal Earth in the Sub/Urban Landscape."
When you ask Basil what he thinks about himself, he'll tell you he is incredibly lucky. He has family he loves dearly, friends and colleagues who inspire him, and every day he gets to care for trees, soil, and flowers. He pursues his purpose and passions as the co-founder of Leaf & Limb and Project Pando. He is a Treecologist, ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, Duke University graduate, Wizard of Things, and author of "From Wasteland to Wonder – Easy Ways to Help Heal Earth in the Sub/Urban Landscape."
Dr. Meg Lowman, nicknamed Canopy Meg and called "The Real-Life Lorax" by National Geographic, has devoted over four decades to exploring the the world's treetops. She built the first public canopy walkway in North America at Myakka State Park in Florida, which is the first public treetop trail. It is a novel suspension bridge and tower providing researchers and visitors with eye-level views of the forest canopy and a spectacular above-the-treetops view of the entire park. Come learn about her mission to explore, research, and conserve global forests; mentor the next generation, especially women and minorities, in sustainability and forest stewardship; and educate diverse audiences through storytelling!
Joanne Hershfield taught in the Department of Women's and Gender Studies at UNC-Chapel for twenty years and has been producing social-issue documentary films for thirty years. Recent films distributed nationally and internationally include Mama C: Urban Warrior in the African Bush, the story of Charlotte O’Neal, a former member of the Kansas City Black Panther Party, a poet, musician, artist, and community activist who has lived for over forty years as an urban warrior in the African Bush in the Tanzanian village of Imbaseni; These Are Our Children, a one-hour documentary film reveals how the devastating effects of poverty, HIV/AIDs, and violence on Kenyan children are successfully being reduced through local grassroots interventions; and Men Are Human, Women are Buffalo, a film about violence against women in Thailand. Benevolence, a Journey from Prison to Home follows five women as they are released from prison and move onto Benevolence Farm in Alamance County, NC. The Gillian Film tells the story of a young woman with developmental disabilities who decides to move from her parents' home and live on her own.
Joanne's newest film, Gardening for the Planet, is a documentary about how native-plant gardening can make a meaningful and significant difference in combating the devastating effects of climate change.
Musical background and introductory piece: All Strung Out String Quartet
Joanne's newest film, Gardening for the Planet, is a documentary about how native-plant gardening can make a meaningful and significant difference in combating the devastating effects of climate change.
Musical background and introductory piece: All Strung Out String Quartet
