Perspectives on Silent Spring at 50
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2012 marks the 50th anniversary of publication of Rachel Carson's seminal book, Silent Spring, considered the most significant influence on the launching of the modern environmental awareness and action movement. In celebration of this anniversary, year The Rachel Carson Institute at Chatham University and the National Aviary are hosting the Perspectives on Silent Spring at 50 Symposium on May 11 and 12.
Rachel Carson, 1944.
Photo Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
This two-day event will celebrate and discuss the impact of Silent Spring on environmental writing, the conservation of wildlife, and the future of conservation and preservation of biodiversity. Attendees will hear from some of the country's most respected environmental writing and environmental science experts including Carson biographer, Linda Lear, Ph.D.; Heinz Award Recipients, Louis J. Guillette, Ph.D, and Terry Collins Ph.D.; Carson's grand-nephew and adopted son, Roger Christie, and many more.
Conference attendees will also be able to experience WINGS!, the first show to be presented in the National Aviary's new Helen M. Schmidt FlitezoneTM Theater. In the theater's intimate space, live American Bald Eagle flights are paired with music, video, lighting, and stage design – adding drama and context to these remarkable birds and the threats they face in the wild.
May 11-12, 2012
Perspectives on Silent Spring at 50
Day One - National Aviary
Linda Lear, Ph.D. is the keynote speaker. Dr. Lear is the author of Rachel Carson: Witness for Nature, the quintessential biography of the woman TIME Magazine named one of the 100 most important people of the 20th century.
In addition, authors Scott Weidensaul, Sherri Woodley, Dr. John Juriga, and Diane Glave will be discussing Rachel Carson's influence on their environmental writing.
Participants will also be able to experience WINGS, the first show to be presented in the National Aviary's new Helen M. Schmidt Flitezone™ Theater. In the theater's intimate space, live American Bald Eagle flights are paired with music, video, lighting, and stage design -- adding drama and context to these remarkable birds and the threats they face in the wild.
View a full list of speakers.
Day Two - Chatham University
Sessions include: Lessons from Silent Spring, Challenges of the 21st Century, The Image and the Message, and The Legacy of Carson - Voices for the Future.
Louis J. Guillette, Jr., Ph.D., Heinz Award Recipient for 2011, is a professor who holds an endowed chair of marine genomics, at Centers for Economic Excellence, at the Medical University of South Carolina; Marine Biomedicine and Environmental Sciences Center, Medical University of South Carolina. Other speakers of special note include:
Terry Collins, Ph.D., Tersa Heinz Chair of Green Chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University
David Evers, Ph.D., executive director, chief scientist, Biodiversity Research Institute
Mark Madison, Ph.D., historian, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Roger Christie, Rachel Carson's grand-nephew and adopted son
More Silent Spring at 50 Celebration Events
April 2012
Earth Day: Bicycle parade in honor of Rachel Carson
Students from Pittsburgh universities: Chatham, Pitt, CMU, Point Park, Carlow, and Duquesne; Bike Pittsburgh; Venture Outdoors; REI; and many others join together to show support for preserving our environmental values with a bicycle parade displaying environmental messages proceeding from Chatham Eastside Campus to Phipps Conservatory.
October 2012
Rachel Carson Legacy Conference: Sustaining food resources for the world
This conference will gather international perspectives on the importance of food sovereignty, food security, environmentally sound agricultural practices, local and indigenous food management, preservation of biodiversity in food sources and seeds, and organic and sustainable practices. There will be a particular focus on reducing toxics in the food chain. The Conference and Workshop will be hosted at Chatham University.
