Earth Day discussion to feature Gaylord Nelson

Thirty-two years after he founded Earth Day to raise public awareness about environmental issues, Gaylord Nelson is still a resolute voice for the earth.

Nelson will join several faculty members on the eve of Earth Day in a free public panel discussion at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at the Pyle Center, 702 Langdon St. Their topic: “Environment, Population, Sustainable Development: Where Do We Go From Here?”

As a Wisconsin state senator and governor, Nelson drew attention to issues of land protection, wildlife habitat, and environmental quality. As a U.S. senator, he championed landmark laws including the Wilderness Act, the National Trails Act, the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and the National Environmental Education Act. He also introduced bills to mandate fuel efficiency standards in cars, control strip mining, ban phosphates from detergents, and prohibit use of the pesticide DDT and the defoliant 2,4,5-T.

Nelson, now 85, is perhaps best known as the founder of Earth Day. Millions of Americans participated in the first observance on April 22, 1970. Today, Earth Day is an annual event nationwide.

Since leaving the U.S. Senate in 1981, Nelson has campaigned for environmental stewardship as a counselor for The Wilderness Society. He advocates protecting America’s national forests, parks and other public lands from development. He also calls for population control and environmentally sustainable development.

His efforts have earned widespread admiration, affection and acclaim. In 1995 Nelson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, our nation’s highest civilian honor.

For information about the panel discussion, call (608) 263-5599.