#  Half-Earth Day 2026 

 





*A landmark celebration of biodiversity, science, and the enduring vision of E.O. Wilson — October 12, Indigenous Peoples Day, at Sanders Theatre, Harvard University.*



 

September 16, 2026

 

 

 ![Half Earth Day banner](/sites/g/files/omnuum6796/files/2026-09/HalfEarthBanner.png)

 

Join the Museum of Comparative Zoology, the Harvard University Herbaria, the Harvard University Native American Program, the Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability, and the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation for **Half-Earth Day 2026** — the tenth anniversary of both E.O. Wilson’s landmark book Half-Earth and of Half-Earth Day itself.

The theme is ***Half-Earth at Ten: Honoring a Legacy of Hope***. The day asks the question at the heart of Wilson’s work and life: how do courage, imagination, and wisdom pass from one generation to the next in the service of life on Earth?

The program moves between science, art, and testimony — wild places brought to life through film and photography; Indigenous voices renewing our relationship to land; a tribute to E.O. Wilson through the people who knew him best; poetry and music that carry what data alone cannot; and the presentation of the *E.O. Wilson Legacy Award for Transformative Conservation Leadership* to the Gorongosa Restoration Project.

**Scholar, writer, and artist Adrienne Keene (Cherokee Nation)** guides guests through the full program as emcee.

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#### **Program Highlights**

**Opening**

Land acknowledgment by Larry Spotted Crow Mann (Hassanamisco Nipmuc Nation), followed by welcome remarks.

**A Voice for Wild Places**

Wildlife photographer and filmmaker Florian Schulz presents photography, film, and story from the wild places at the heart of the day’s themes.

**Roots of Resilience: Forests, Biodiversity & the Long View**

Moderated by Jeannine Cavender-Bares (Harvard University Herbaria). Sherri Mitchell (Penobscot Nation) speaks to the disruption of Indigenous relationships with land and the possibility of renewal through rematriation; Jonathan Thompson traces land use change across New England.

**E.O. Wilson Tribute · In His Own Words**

Bert Hölldobler — who shared the Pulitzer Prize with Ed for *The Ants* and was among his closest scientific collaborators — joins Naomi Pierce, with a reflection from Henry Louis Gates Jr. Archival footage and Ed’s own words are woven throughout.

**Beyond Measure**

Larry Spotted Crow Mann takes the stage for poetry, music, and story.

**What Holds the World Steady**

Andrew Mergen’s keynote on the Endangered Species Act and what endures when the language of protection falls away, paired with a performance by Julian Brave NoiseCat.

**E.O. Wilson Legacy Award for Transformative Conservation Leadership**

The award is presented to the Gorongosa Restoration Project. Harrison Ford, the award’s inaugural recipient, passes it forward by video. Aurora Malene delivers a keynote, followed by conversation with Adrienne Keene and Susana Carvalho, Director of Science at Gorongosa.

**Closing Performance**

Larry Spotted Crow Mann closes the day in performance with young people from the Ohketeau Cultural Center.



 

 

 

 [ Get tickets arrow\_circle\_right ](https://boxoffice.harvard.edu/Online/default.asp?BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=half-earth-day) [ Half-Earth Day 2026 website arrow\_circle\_right ](https://eowilsonfoundation.org/programs/outreach/half-earth-day/) 

 

 

 

 

*Half-Earth Day 2026 is presented with support from the James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Foundation and Andrew Saunders.*



 

 



 

 

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