Conservationists of the Past

These seem like stressful times for the environment.  The climate is changing, but the government doesn’t want to act.  Regulations on air and water purity are being rolled back.  Preserved areas are being trimmed, and even the Endangered Species Act is, well, endangered. But fear not!  Our world is better today than in the past, and it will be even better in the future.  How can I be so sure?  This seminar will tell the story of inspirational conservationists of the past—people like Rachel Carson, Chico Mendes, Billy Frank Jr. and Wangari Maathai.  If we act with their passion and persistence, we can achieve a sustainable and beautiful world!  

The seminar is based on Nielsen’s Nature’s Allies: Eight Conservationists Who Changed Our World.

About the Speaker

Larry Nielsen
Larry Nielsen
North Carolina State University

Larry A. Nielsen is Professor Emeritus of Natural Resources at North Carolina State University.  A native of Chicago, he has degrees from the University of Illinois, University of Missouri and Cornell University.  He spent 40 years as a faculty member and administrator at the Virginia Tech, Penn State and NC State.  He has been a Department Head, School Director, College Dean and University Provost.  He is a highly regarded public speaker, frequently delivering keynote lectures and leading workshops on higher education and natural resources.  He is author of more than 100 publications, including two recent books:  Provost:  Experiences, Reflections, and Advice From a Former “Number Two” on Campus, and  Nature’s Allies, 8 Conservationists who Changed our World.  He is a Fellow of the American Fisheries Society and was an Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor at NC State before retiring in January, 2018.

This talk is part of Geography Awareness Week, 2018

Environmental Speaker Series

The Environmental Speaker Series is hosted by the College of the Environment at Western Washington University.

The Series is free and open to the public. Talks are held each Thursday at 4:30 pm in Academic Instructional Center West room 204 - AW-204. Talks will also be streamed via zoom. Register with the Alumni Association for the zoom link. Paid parking is available in lot C.

Learn more about the Environmental Speaker Series
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