September 16, 2008
'Hero for the Planet' to Speak on Shared Responsibility for a Sustainable World
LINCOLN, Neb. — Peter H. Raven, internationally honored plant scientist and leader in conservation and sustainable development, will be in Lincoln Oct. 10 to help celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum.
Honored by Time magazine as a "Hero for the Planet," Raven has headed the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, Missouri since 1971, nurturing it into a world-renowned center for botanical research, education and conservation. He is recipient of the National Medal of Science, the highest award for scientific accomplishment in the United States, and numerous other awards and prizes. Raven is active internationally in science, science policy and conservation issues, and has advocated for a transition to sustainability in forums held throughout the world.
Raven will be the honored guest of a reception and fund-raiser for the arboretum beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 1040 P Street. The reception also will feature music by the Daryl White Group. Ticket price is $75 per person ($44 tax-deductible), and reservations can be made by contacting the NSA office at (402) 472-2971 by the Oct. 1 deadline.
Following the reception, Raven will present a free public lecture, "A Sustainable World: Our Shared Responsibility," at 7:30 p.m. at nearby Kimball Recital Hall, 11th and R streets, on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus. His lecture is being underwritten by the UNL Chancellor's Office, Peru State College and Lincoln Journal-Star Recycling.
"We are thrilled to bring a scientist and environmental leader of Dr. Raven's influence and stature to Nebraska," said NSA director Jim Locklear. "It will be a great evening and a fitting way to celebrate three decades of good, green work by the arboretum."
Raven's appearance is part of a year-long celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum. A public/private partnership based at the university's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the arboretum has been a catalyst for environmental stewardship and community development across Nebraska, helping bring nearly 900 public landscaping projects to fruition in over
250 Nebraska communities while stressing plants and practices that conserve water and benefit the environment. The arboretum received the 2008 Urban Beautification Award from the American Horticultural Society in recognition of "significant contributions to urban horticulture and the beautification of American cities."
9/16/08-KL/DM
Jim Locklear
Nebraska Statewide Aboretum
Director
(402) 472-2971
Karma Larsen Communications Associate Nebraska Statewide Arboretum (402)472-7923
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