UW-Stevens Point to host talk on leaders in conservation

At a time when news about the planet often sounds dire, a different message of hope and inspiration will be shared at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Larry Nielsen, professor emeritus of natural resources at North Carolina State University, will present "Lessons from the Great Conservationists of the Past" at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14, in Room 120 of the Trainer Natural Resources Building, 800 Reserve Street, Stevens Point. The event is free and open to the public.

Nielsen will highlight the lives and legacies of conservation leaders such as Rachel Carson, Chico Mendes, Billy Frank Jr. and Wangari Maathai. Their persistence and passion, Nielsen said, provide examples of how today's society can continue to build a sustainable future.

"These seem like stressful times for the environment and sustainability, but fear not," Nielsen said. "Our world is better today than in the past, and it will be even better in the future if we act with the same persistence as the conservationists who came before us."

Nielsen retired in 2018 after more than four decades in higher education, where he served as provost and executive vice chancellor, dean of natural resources, and professor of fisheries and wildlife sciences. He is the author of several books, including Nature's Allies, a collection of conservation biographies, and is known for his storytelling ability, humor, and optimism.

The lecture is hosted by the Wisconsin Center for Wildlife and the Center for Watershed Science and Education, part of the College of Natural Resources and UW-Extension at UW-Stevens Point.