

# Event Details

- **Event Name**: Nature NL Public Talk -  Grad Student Night: Riley Henniffent - Lichens
- **Event Start and End Date**: Thu, 19 Feb, 2026 at 11:00 pm
- **Event Description**: Talk title: Grad Student Night: Riley Henniffent - Lichens

Grad student Riley Henniffent Will be joining us to talk about researching lichens at the Landscape Ecology and Spatial Analysis (LESA) Lab.

Bio:

I recently completed a BSc in Environmental Science (Biology) at Memorial University’s Grenfell Campus. Throughout my youth, I have always had a deep interest in the environment and all it has to offer. During my undergraduate studies, I developed a fascination with the structure and dynamics of ecological systems. While considering topics for my master’s project, the answer came to me during an afternoon walk when some colorful lichens caught my eye. After returning from the walk and exploring more about lichens, I discovered their importance in landscape ecology and environmental monitoring. With so much to learn, I am excited to be a part of the LESA lab and eager to gain experience in the fields of lichenology and landscape ecology. Outside of academia, I have worked at the Corduroy Brook Enhancement Association (CBEA) for three years. CBEA is a non-profit organization that focuses on environmental conservation, public education, and community engagement, allowing me to expand my knowledge while sharing my knowledge with the community. In my free time, I enjoy participating in numerous activities outdoors, spending time with family and playing guitar.

Description of the LESA lab:

The Landscape Ecology and Spatial Analysis (LESA) Lab focuses on understanding how species interact with their habitats across the boreal ecosystems of Newfoundland and Canada more broadly. Grounded in landscape ecology, the lab integrates field research, GIS-based spatial analysis, and conservation science to address how ecological processes operate across scales and how they respond to environmental change. Lichens, especially rare and habitat-specialist species, play a key role in the lab’s research because their fine-scale environmental requirements make them powerful tools for detecting ecological shifts, assessing habitat quality, and informing conservation planning. By integrating lichen diversity studies with broader landscape-level analyses, the lab investigates how spatial patterns, forest structure, and environmental gradients shape both lichen communities and the species they co-occur with.

Talk description: 

Lichens with a symbiotic relationship with blue-green algae make up about 10% of all lichen species. These lichens (known as cyanolichens) are very sensitive to environmental conditions, making them vulnerable to acidifying air pollution and habitat loss. The Blue Felt Lichen (Pectenia plumbea, syn. Degelia plumbea), is a cyanolichen designated as a species of Special Concern in Canada. Within Canada, its distribution is mostly confined to the Atlantic region, with populations in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland.

Blue felt lichen is found mostly in coastal suboceanic regions but can occur inland, particularly in foggy areas with landscapes that trap moisture. The ecological interactions that enable its presence in these areas are not fully understood, but recent surveys suggest that topography, tree stand structure, and climate may play a role in its distribution. Focusing on a recently discovered population in Central Newfoundland, this research aims to identify key habitat characteristics and interactions that influence blue felt lichen at varying spatial scales to gain understanding on its distribution while guiding conservation strategies.

Beyond the scientific objectives, this project has also granted me the opportunity to learn about the broader cultural and environmental context of Newfoundland’s landscapes. Fieldwork and collaboration have provided opportunities to engage with and work under the guidance of Indigenous communities, revealing how these perspectives combined with western science allows for an effective and dignifying means of environmental protection. This has included learning about Indigenous ways of knowing, particularly land-based knowledge passed down through generations, observation, and reciprocity, as well as the natural history of the island’s ecosystems and how they have been shaped by human activity. These experiences and interactions have deepened the project by connecting ecological research with cultural understanding and with the environmental protection processes that guide conservation efforts in Newfoundland. Overall, this project has fostered meaningful connections, friendships and memories that will last many lifetimes.

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85740895864?pwd=tEF5c0GEJQuQ77LEUWY5an8n0ZabaL.1

Meeting ID: 857 4089 5864
Passcode: 094753

Your support allows us to provide free programming for people in our province: Membership is not required to attend our public talks, but we do encourage people who enjoy our public events to support us with a membership ($25/year).

Memberships can be bought through Paypal, credit card, or debit at naturenl.ca/membership.

You can also support us by donating on: https://naturenl.ca/donate

We would like to thank our funders Wildlife Habitat Canada and NatureHood and Nature Canada Initiative for supporting our public talks.
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/st-johns-newfoundland-and-labrador/nature-nl-public-talk-grad-student-night-riley-henniffent-lichens/200029481006716
- **Event Categories**: music, meetups, entertainment, nonprofit, it
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 76

## Ticket Details

- **Ticket URL**: http://facebook.com/200029481006716?utm_source=AllEvents.in&utm_medium=event-discovery-platform&utm_campaign=st.+john%27s%2C+newfoundland+and+labrador-events

## Event venue details

- **city**: St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
- **location**: Online event
- **full address**: Online event, 21 Merrymeeting Rd, St John's, NL A1C 2V6, Canada, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador

## Event Organizer details

- **affiliate_id**: 2
- **organizer**: Nature Newfoundland and Labrador (https://allevents.in/org/nature-newfoundland-and-labrador/4132916)

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: banner
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events5/banners/a17c4efe2b0101739b442cff4a71e00d5f4ee02b4adb822b107529eef04d7601-rimg-w1080-h1080-dcffffff-gmir?v=1771412130
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## FAQs

- **Q**: When is the event happening?
  - **A:** Thu, 19 Feb, 2026 at 11:00 pm
- **Q**: Where is the event happening?
  - **A:** Online event, 21 Merrymeeting Rd, St John's, NL A1C 2V6, Canada, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
- **Q**: Who is organizing the event?
  - **A:** Nature Newfoundland and Labrador
- **Q**: What type of event is this?
  - **A:** music, meetups, entertainment, nonprofit, it
- **Q**: Where can I find ticket details about Nature NL Public Talk -  Grad Student Night: Riley Henniffent - Lichens ?
  - **A:** You can find ticket details about this event on AllEvents.

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