In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, the Nelson Institute 2020 Earth Day Conference will set the stage for a convergence between the past and the present. Topics will highlight the confluence between traditional conservation and ecological innovations. Discussions will address how we can leverage the best aspects of the past environmental movements while incorporating an increased sense of social justice. The event will also honor those with wisdom of the natural world, while exploring new lessons that can help us all to be better environmental citizens.

The free conference, “Earth Day@50: Aspiring for Sustainability, Striving for Justice, Crafting the Planet,” is a virtual event. Content will be presented online, through a mix of webinars, pre-recorded sessions and interactive discussion. The content will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. CST Monday, April 20, 2020.

A number of CALS faculty are taking part in this year’s event: 

Zuzana Burivalova, assistant professor of forest and wildlife ecology, Francisco Pelegri, professor of genetics, and Zhou Zhang, assistant professor of biological systems engineering, are among the panelists for the “Cutting-Edge Conservation” breakout session. This session will explore innovative ecological engineering and showcase why technology holds the key to preserving habitats and wildlife.

Monica White, associate professor of community and environmental sociology, and Sarah Rios, assistant professor of community and environmental sociology, are among the panelists for the breakout session titled “Food And Justice For All: The Environmental And Societal Challenges Of Food Justice.” This session will explore how climate change is impacting food justice – a community’s right to grow, sell and eat healthy food – in communities across the globe.

Tim Van Deelen, professor of forest and wildlife ecology, will be part of the panel discussing “Sustainable Wildlife Management.” This session will feature both researchers and practitioners sharing how their methods contribute to a more sustainable future and how humans and wildlife can coexist in a mutually beneficial way.