Biodiversity Days With E.O. Wilson to Be Held April 23-25

Biologist Edward O. Wilson, one of the century’s most influential and widely cited scientists, will present a free lecture, “Setting Aside Half the World for the Rest of Life,” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 24, at Duke University’s Reynolds Theater.Wilson’s talk is part of “Biodiversity Days with E.O. Wilson,” a three-day gathering, April 23-25, that will bring many of the world’s top biologists and conservation experts to Duke for a series of public lectures on the most pressing conservation issues of our time. Biodiversity Days is sponsored by Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment and the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation.  In his April 24 talk, Wilson will introduce his vision for “Half Earth” --  the creation of permanent networks of protected and interconnected wild landscapes that are necessary to ensure the survival of the 10 million other species with which humans share the planet. The United States inspired the world when it invented national parks, Wilson will tell the audience, but now it’s time to take things to the next level.Following his talk, Wilson will lead a panel discussion with other conservation experts to explore strategies for creating these networks and turning his vision into a reality. Joining him will be Callum Roberts of the University of York; Jim McClintock of the University of Alabama at Birmingham; philanthropist Greg Carr; and Stuart Pimm of Duke.Other highlights of “Biodiversity Days with E.O. Wilson” will include:

• Talks by Peter White, Gary Machlis, Todd Witcher and Greg Carr from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. April 24 in the Levine Science Research Building’s Love Auditorium.
• Two short films and talks by Stuart Pimm, Bill Finch and Jim McClintock from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. April 25 at Love Auditorium.
• “What Will It Take to Avert an Extinction Wave in the Oceans?,” a talk by Callum Roberts with an introduction by E.O. Wilson at 6 p.m. April 25 in Love Auditorium. Callum’s talk is the James and Cathleen Stone Distinguished Lectureship in Biodiversity.

All events are free and open to the public but require a ticket. Tickets can be obtained online through the Duke University Box Office, by phone at (919) 684-4444, or in person at the Bryan Center Box Office from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Service charges apply to orders placed by phone or online.For additional information, contact eowilsonevents@nicholas.duke.edu. A full list of events is online at www.nicholas.duke.edu/eowilson.