The leader of the nation�s largest member supported conservation group will speak on the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point campus this month. Mark Van Putten, president and chief executive officer of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) will talk about knowledge and passion in conservation efforts.

The presentation, "Scientists As Undertakers: Bringing Knowledge and Passion to the Cause of Conservation." will be given on April 24 as part of a special Earth Week appearance at UWSP. It will be held at 4 p.m. in Room 170 of the College of Natural Resources building. The public is invited to attend without charge.

Van Putten�s appearance at UWSP is part of an emerging partnership between the College of Natural Resources and the NWF. Mike Dombeck, former USDA Forest Service chief who recently joined the college as the Global Environmental Management (GEM) Pioneer Professor, was named to the NWF board of directors in March 2002. Through his efforts, a formal memorandum of understanding is anticipated this spring between the NWF and the GEM Education Center.

A Michigan native and magna cum laude graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, Van Putten has an impressive record of conservation achievements. For nearly 20 years, Van Putten has worked diligently and effectively to advance the cause of conservation by leveraging the combined expertise and grass roots clout of NWF and its grass roots constituency. He was the founding director of what is now the NWF�s largest regional operation, the Great Lakes Natural Resource Center, which has played a pivotal role in the cleanup and protection of America�s freshwater seas. He established the nation�s largest environmental law clinic, and was the founding co-chair of the Environmental Protection Agency�s Public Advisory Group on Great Lakes Water Quality Guidance Standards, representing NWF and leading to a court mandated completion of those standards.

In June 1996, Van Putten was named president and CEO of NWF, now representing over four million members. He has advocated the reinforcement of NWF�s citizen activist roots by strengthening the Federation�s connection with affiliates and with area activists. NWF aims to educate, inspire and assist individuals and organizations of diverse cultures to conserve wildlife and other natural resources and to protect the Earth's environment in order to achieve a peaceful, equitable and sustainable future.

Recent NWF efforts include battling for the protection of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and demonstrating the effects of global warming on migratory birds, fish and other wildlife, as a means of building support for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. NWF played critical roles in shaping and subsequently defending the restoration of gray wolves to their native habitat in Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho and in securing passage of the plans to restore the Florida Everglades. Ongoing efforts include a host of education and advocacy programs aimed at giving people everywhere the knowledge, tools and expert assistance they need to shape a better, healthier future for people and for wildlife.

Van Putten�s appearance at UWSP is sponsored by the College of Natural Resources Colloquium Series, UWSP Earth Week Committee, and Student Government Association.

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