Humans and Ecosystems: Surprising Impacts from the Amazon to Toronto

On Feb 9th, we present : "Humans and Ecosystems: Surprising Impacts from the Amazon to Toronto" by Prof. Shelby Riskin, PhD — University of Toronto

Humans change the environment — but nature has its own plans.

In this lecture, ecologist Dr. Shelby Riskin explores how human activity reshapes ecosystems in ways that are often unexpected, fascinating, and sometimes alarming. From the rapid conversion of rainforest to farmland in the Amazon to ambitious renaturalization projects along Lake Ontario, Riskin reveals the surprising links between ecosystems worlds apart and the lessons they hold for conservation and sustainability.

Expect clear, engaging explanations of how soils, plants, and rivers respond to centuries of human impact — and what that means for the future of the planet, even in our own backyard.

🍀 About the wonderful Professor Shelby Riskin

Dr. Shelby Riskin is an Associate Professor in the teaching stream at the University of Toronto in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. She earned her BA from Grinnell College and her PhD from Brown University (in partnership with the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole), studying the biogeochemical consequences of Amazonian deforestation and agricultural conversion.

At U of T, she teaches courses on ecology and conservation biology and continues to research how human activity influences ecosystems and organisms.

📅 Date: February 9th, 2026
🕡 Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Downtown Toronto (exact location revelaed in an email closer to the date)
🎤 Speaker: Prof. Shelby Riskin, PhD

🎟 Seats are limited! Early bird tickets available for a limited time.