Hosted by the Martha’s Vineyard Museum

Ticks have become an everyday part of life on Martha’s Vineyard—but understanding how they move, how risk is changing, and what actually helps can still feel uncertain. This updated online lecture series brings together local experts in public health, medicine, ecology, and community prevention to share the latest information about ticks on the Island—and how that knowledge can help us make informed decisions outdoors.

Across the series, speakers explore ticks from multiple perspectives, including changing environmental patterns, emerging health conditions, clinical care, and community-based prevention strategies. Each program is designed to translate evolving science into clear, practical information grounded in local experience.

This series is intended for residents, outdoor workers, families, healthcare providers, and anyone seeking reliable, Island-specific insight into tick-borne disease. The goal is not fear, but understanding—because informed awareness remains one of the most effective tools we have.

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Single speaker events are virtual, on Zoom, from 5:00-6:00pm. The final event is an in-person panel of all speakers at Martha’s Vineyard Museum. Admission is $10 per event, or $50 for the full series.
Full series details available on the Martha’s Vineyard Museum here: https://mvmuseum.org/events/ticks-on-the-vineyard-series/

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THE SCHEDULE

April 29
The Changing Tick Landscape: Prevention & Practical Steps
Speaker: Patrick Roden-Reynolds, Director of the Martha’s Vineyard Tick Program and Public Health Biologist with the Inter-Island Public Health Excellence Collaboration.
Public health biologist Patrick Roden-Reynolds shares the latest data on tick activity across the Island and practical steps for prevention.

May 7
Ticked Off: Public Health’s Role in Understanding and Tracking Alpha-Gal Syndrome
Speaker: Lea Hamner, MPH, Epidemiologist with the Martha’s Vineyard Tick Program
Learn how Alpha-Gal Syndrome is tracked and understood in public health, and what new reporting means for the Vineyard.

May 14
Alpha-gal Syndrome: What You Need to Know (and How to Cook for It!)
Speaker: Led by Aubrey Stimola-Ryan, MS, PA-C, a clinician and educator with more than 17 years of emergency room experience.
A clinician and local chef explore Alpha-Gal Syndrome, offering medical insight and practical cooking strategies.

May 21
TICK FREE MV: What the Aerial Deer Survey Reveals About Ticks
Speaker: Virginia Barbatti, Executive Director of TICK FREE MV
Explore results from the Island’s aerial deer survey and what they reveal about tick populations and disease risk.

May 26
LIVE & IN PERSON – The Tick Panel: What’s New, What’s True, and How to Stay Safe
Speaker: Virginia Barbatti, Aubrey Stimola-Ryan, Patrick Roden-Reynolds, Chef Gina Stanley
A panel of local experts shares the latest updates on ticks, prevention, and Alpha-Gal, with audience Q&A.