American Environmentalist to Conduct Earth Day Programs Focusing on Wetlands Including Lake Pulicat

April 20, 2009

Chennai: U.S. Consulate General-Chennai has invited Dr. Beth Middleton to visit Chennai on April 21-22, 2009 to speak on the importance of wetlands conservation to protect the environment in honor of Earth Day 2009.

Dr. Middleton is a Research Ecologist with the National Wetlands Research Center, Lafayette, Louisiana. For her doctoral work, she studied Bharatpur's wetlands and is being invited to Bharatpur in April 2009 to work with the Keoladeo Naturalist's Society, looking at biodiversity loss in the national park since mid 80s.She is routinely invited to give lectures and conduct workshops on environmental issues including climate change, mangroves and wetlands.

She also conducts workshops on writing strategies for students, and teaching ecology through field-based enquiry for young scientists.During her tour to Chennai, she will interact with environmentalists, environmental NGOs and wetlands scientists at M.S. Swaminathan Reseach Foundation and visit the Pulicat Lake restoration project by the CReNIEO (Centre for Research on New International Economic Order).She will deliver the Earth Day lecture highlighting the importance of wetlands in controlling pollution at the C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre. Her detailed bio is available at http://www.nwrc.usgs.gov/

Press Events:

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

11:30 a.m.

Roundtable discussion on "Climate Change and the Future of Wetlands" by Dr. Beth Middleton with environmentalists, environmental NGOs and wetlands scientists

Venue: M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation,3rd Cross Street, Taramani Institutional area, Chennai 600113Tel: 91-44-2254-1229

5:00 p.m.

Presentation on "Climate Change and Wealth in Wetlands: How People Use Wetlands Sustainably Around the World" by Dr. Beth Middleton

Audience: Environmental scientists, village panchayat president; villagers and high school students

Venue: CRENIEO-IFDP Campus, Old Shell Factory Site, Pulicat 601 205Ponneri Taluk, Thiruvalluval District. Tel: 91-44-4260-1661

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

11:00 a.m.

Earth Day lecture on "Climate Change and the Future of Wetlands" by Dr. Middleton at C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre Audience: General audience including students

Venue: C.P. Ramaswamy Aiyar Foundation, No. 1, Eldams Road,Alwarpet, Chennai 600018; Tel: 044- 2433-7023