Lecture Series History: 2008
In 2008, the Natural History Museum of Utah's annual Lecture Series presented the theme "The Nature of Things 2008." Read on to learn more about the theme and speakers.
About the 2008 Lecture Series
Welcome to the second year of The Nature of Things, a series of lectures and events that explore the delicate, complex relationships between humans and the natural world. No matter where we look, our world is changing. From the obvious, such as how we produce the food we eat, to the not-so-obvious, like dust hastening snow melt, nature is in flux. In The Nature of Things, experts, scientists and authors from around the country will document those changes and explore our role in them. We welcome you into this dialogue. Thanks to the R. Harold Burton Foundation and our other sponsors for their generosity in making this series possible.
2008 Speakers
Thomas Painter
When Deserts and Mountains Collide
A native of Colorado, Thomas Painter as been knee-deep in snow for much of his career. An affiliate scientist at the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colorado, Painter recently joined the University of Utah as assistant professor of geography. He has published extensively on the impact of dust from the Colorado Plateau as it blows and settles in alpine snow. Painter has been featured in High Country News, Backcountry Magazine, and on National Public Radio.
Gary Nabhan
Bridging the Urban-Rural Divide
Gary Nabhan is a writer, lecturer and world-renowned conservation scientist. He currently is the director of the Center for Sustainable Environments at Northern Arizona University. Through CSE he had founded the Renewing America's Food Traditions initiative which is pioneering efforts to balance urban and rural growth with the needs for food security and water conservation.
Michael Pollan
The Omnivore's Dilemma
For over 20 years, Michael Pollan has been writing books and articles about the places where the human and natural worlds intersect: food, agriculture, gardens, drugs and architecture. Pollan's latest book, In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto, is a practical follow-up to the award winning The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals. A contributing writer to the New York Times Magazine since 1987, his writing has received numerous awards. He articles have also appeared in Harper's, Mother Jones, Gourmet, Vogue, Travel + Leisure, and House & Garden.
Gayle McKeachnie
Utah's Water Policy: Planning our Future
Gayle McKeachnie practices law in the areas of business, governmental and natural resources. He served as Utah's Lieutenant Governor (2003-2004) and is an advisor to Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. serving as Rural Affairs Coordinator. He and his wife live on and operate a farm and ranch in Vernal, Utah.