Founder of PBS series speaks at UAA on Oct. 11-12, 2010

Dear UAA students:

Thomas E. Lovejoy, biodiversity expert and founder of the PBS series, Nature, will be on campus Oct. 11-12 for a number of fantastic events. Please plan to join us at the following events:

• Monday, Oct. 11, Noon-1:30 p.m., LIB 307, Student Brown Bag Luncheon with Dr. Lovejoy. All students welcome. Open discussion on biodiversity and environmental issues. Bring a lunch and some questions.
• Tuesday, Oct. 12, 10 a.m., Commons Room 107, Roundtable Discussion, Conservation Priorities: Global perspectives v. Alaska perspectives. Tom Lovejoy; John Schoen (Alaska Audubon Society); Wendy Loya (The Wilderness Society); The Nature Conservancy; Jeff Welker (UAA Environmental and Natural Resources Institute), and Douglas Causey (Moderator). Free to all attendees.
• Tuesday, Oct. 12, 7:30 p.m., Wendy Williamson Auditorium, Free Public Lecture, "A Wild Solution to Climate Change."

Thomas E. Lovejoy became the first recipient of the newly created Heinz Center Biodiversity Chair in August 2008. Prior to that, he served as president of the Heinz Center, as the World Bank's Chief Biodiversity Advisor and Lead Specialist for Environment for Latin America and the Caribbean and Senior Advisor to the President of the United Nations Foundation.

In addition, Dr. Lovejoy has been Assistant Secretary and Counselor to the Secretary at the Smithsonian Institution, Science Advisor to the Secretary of the Interior, and Executive Vice President of the World Wildlife Fund-U.S. He conceived the idea for the Minimum Critical Size of Ecosystems project (a joint project between the Smithsonian and Brazil's INPA), originated the concept of debt-for-nature swaps, and is the founder of the public television series Nature. In 2001 he was awarded the prestigious Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement. Dr. Lovejoy served on science and environmental councils or committees under the Reagan, Bush, and Clinton administrations. He received his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Yale University.

For additional information on Thomas E. Lovejoy, please visit http://www.heinzctr.org/About/lovejoy/index.shtml.