April 1, 2015 – Renowned conservationist, Harvey Locke will provide the keynote address at the 2015 Reimagine Western Landscapes Symposium, “On Behalf of Wild Nature,” and share his vision for the survival of nature in the 21st century, Saturday, April 11, 7 p.m. at the Swaner Preserve and Eco-Center, 1258 Center Drive, Park City, Utah. Advance tickets available at 801-585-3988 or online.
This year’s symposium, in partnership with the University of Utah’s College of Humanities, Park City Film Series and Utah Open Lands, will also host a film screening with a panel discussion and a sage grouse soiree in Summit County, Utah, April 9-11.
“The symposium events seek to elevate our compassion and understanding for the natural world by using the power of narratives with multiple perspectives to touch the human spirit and inspire action on behalf of nature,” said Leslie Miller, Reimagine program director. “The 2015 symposium will continue to demonstrate the strengths of the humanities as we explore new ways of seeing the world beyond self.”
As the internationally recognized founder of the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, Locke shares his “Nature Needs Half” message with audiences around the world. He contends, “for people and nature to survive in the 21st century we must share the Earth, at least equally.”
According to the organization, “‘Nature Needs Half’” is a science-based and common sense vision of a relationship between people and nature that ensures enough natural areas of land and water are protected and interconnected – and of sufficient size and resiliency – to provide life-supporting ecosystem and biodiversity services that are essential to both human health and prosperity and a bountiful, beautiful legacy of wild nature.”
The Reimagine symposium begins with a screening and panel discussion of “ Wrenched” at 7 p.m., Thursday, April 9 at the Prospector Theater in Park City. The documentary, hosted by the Park City Film Series, centers on Edward Abbey’s fight to sustain the spirit of the West and is partly inspired by his novel, “The Monkey Wrench Gang.” KPCW news director Leslie Thatcher will moderate a discussion with Patrick Shea, legal counsel for environmental activist Tim DeChristopher and former director of the Bureau of Land Management; Kim Crumbo, director of conservation for the Grand Canyon Wildlands Council; and Sara Dant, professor of history at Weber State University and expert on environmental history of the West. Tickets can be purchased here.
Experts from Utah Open Lands and Tracy Aviary will share their knowledge about Utah’s threatened sage grouse, their habitats and conservation efforts at an event, April 10, 6 p.m. at the Skybridge Lounge at Newpark Resort and Hotel in Park City, 1456 Newpark Blvd. Registration is available online.
The Reimagine Western Landscapes Initiative uses the environmental humanities to inspire the will to act for human and natural world prosperity. The symposium is an educational forum, open to the public. Venue seating capacities are limited. For more information, click here.
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