Environmental center hosts pair of Rachel Carson panel lectures

Steven C. Rockefeller As part of its fifth anniversary celebration, the Center for Environmental and Sustainability Education, at Florida Gulf Coast University, will host two Rachel Carson Distinguished Panel Lectures on Friday, Feb. 20, on the campus of FGCU and on Sanibel Island.

Featured lecturers include the world's top educators engaged in scholarship related to the Earth Charter from India, Australia, Costa Rica, Mexico and Germany, as well as some of North America's top scholars in environmental education, religion and ethics. Renowned ecological literacy educator and writer David W. Orr and Yale University religion and ecology scholar Mary Evelyn Tucker will moderate the panels.

The most celebrated of the visiting scholars is likely Steven C. Rockefeller, who chaired the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, as well as the international Earth Charter drafting Committee. He also serves as member of the Earth Charter Commission.

The Earth Charter Initiative is a blueprint of values and principles for creating a more sustainable future. It is often referred to as a "declaration of interdependence."

The Center for Environmental and Sustainability Education is also hosting the visiting scholars in a week-long residency on Sanibel Island.

The residency and panel discussions coincide with the organization's fifth annual Fundraising Celebration, which takes place Saturday, Feb. 21, in a private home on Sanibel Island. Invitations are available by contacting the center at 590- 7166 or cese@fgcu.edu.

The campus Rachel Carson Distinguished Lecture Panel takes place at 10 a.m. in Academic Building 5, Room 112, and at 7 p.m. at St. Michael and All Angels Church on Sanibel Island. Both events are free and open to the public. A brief reception with the scholars will follow the evening panel.

For more information, visit www.fgcu. edu/cese.