EcoTarium

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 201st Annual Meeting of the EcoTarium this past Tuesday, June 9th!

The evening began with a sneak peek into the amazing exhibit currently on display in the new Stoddard Exhibition Hall - “The Secret World of Elephants”. Then, during a lively cocktail reception, visitors enjoyed catching up with each other and visiting educational and zoo-related tables to gain insight into what we do everyday at the Museum.

After the reception, guests moved into the Alden Planetarium for the evening’s program. After a recap of our 200th anniversary year, the program included two highlights. Guests enjoyed a presentation about biodiversity by guest speaker, Thomas O’Shea, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game. Then, Noreen Smith, EcoTarium President & CEO, presented the the 5th Edward Howe Forbush Naturalist Award, which recognizes an individual or group for their lifetime achievements and leadership in conservation, environmental stewardship, and science education.

This year’s Edward Howe Forbush Award was presented to Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Elizabeth was selected for this award in recognition of her extensive, impactful work in international biodiversity, which reflects the EcoTarium’s mission to connect people with science and nature while inspiring action to protect the ecosystems which we all depend upon. Elizabeth joined the meeting live via Zoom from Nairobi, Kenya, where the United Nations Environment Programme is headquartered, and shared a captivating and motivating thank you speech.

Thank you to Senator Michael Moore and representatives from Senator Elizabeth Warren’s office for attending and accepting EcoTarium’s Legislative Hero Awards, recognizing the work they do in support of the EcoTarium’s mission.

Registration for the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Worcester Natural History on Tuesday, June 9th is currently closed - we are at capacity.

For those attending or who are interested, the agenda for the evening is as follows:

Sneak Peek – The Secret World of Elephants – 4:00 – 4:30 pm
Networking and Refreshments – Appetizers and drinks– 4:00 – 5:00 pm
Annual Meeting – 5:00 – 5:45 pm
Awards – Presentation of the Edward Howe Forbush Naturalist Award to Elizabeth Maruma Mrema and Promotion of Honorary Trustees – 5:45 – 6:30 pm