newsbriefs
Working on Behalf of
Paddle
Through Paradise
Earth’s Beauty & Bounty
on Kayak Tours by donna Roberts
O
n February 20, as part of its fifth annual Fund-
raising Celebration, the Center for Environ-
mental and Sustainability Education (CESE)
at Florida Gulf Coast University will host two Rachel
Carson Distinguished Lectures, both entitled, Working on Behalf of the Beauty and
Bounty of Earth: An Earth Charter Scholars’ Panel. CESE works toward realizing the
dream of a sustainable and peaceful future for Earth through scholarship, educa-
tion and action.
Top educators from India, Australia, Costa Rica, Mexico and Germany, en-
gaged in scholarship related to the Earth Charter, will deliver lectures, joined by
North America’s top scholars in environmental education, religion and ethics. Re-
nowned ecological literacy educator and writer, David W. Orr, and Yale religion
and ecology scholar, Mary Evelyn Tucker, both co-chairs of CESE and past Rachel
Carson distinguished lecturers, will be panel moderators.
The Earth Charter Initiative, often referred to as a “declaration of interdepen-
G
aea Guides is offering several guided
dence,” is a blueprint of values and principles for creating a more sustainable
kayak nature tours throughout Feb-
future. It was launched at the Peace Palace, in The Hague, in 2000.
CESE is hosting the visiting scholars, including Steven C. Rockefeller, who
ruary, including a tour to Useppa Island,
chaired the International Earth Charter drafting committee, in a week-long residen-
in Pine Island Sound, from 10 a.m. to
cy on Sanibel Island. They will explore Earth Charter-based resources for higher
5, February 26. The day-long adventure education and identify additional resources needed.
takes visitors to the fabled private island
“We are interested in a scholarly perspective that leads the way toward how
to see unusual birds and plants.
the Earth Charter can be applied in higher education,” says CESE Director Peter
The tour includes a visit to the
Blaze Corcoran. “For example, throughout India, Mexico and Australia, the Earth
Charter is presently embraced in all formal education programs.”
Useppa Museum, originally built as a
These events coincide with the launch of A Voice for Earth: American Writers
private cottage. The museum explores
Respond to the Earth Charter, a new book edited by Corcoran and A. James Wohl-
the history of this tiny island, stretching part, CESE senior advisor. According to Corcoran, the book’s essays were written
back more than 10,000 years. Lunch is
to help Americans better understand the Earth Charter. Contributors include Terry
an Old Florida-style experience at the
Tempest Williams, an American author, ecologist and naturalist; and poet Alison
historic Collier Inn, a century old and
Hawthorne Deming.
“The inspiration for the book was the Earth Charter’s perplexing lack of reso-
meticulously restored. Cost for the tour,
nance with the American people,” advises Corcoran. “We chose to use the vitality
which is led by a University of Florida-
of literature and the power of ethical principles to awaken Americans to the need
trained Florida Master Naturalist, is $65, to connect to wider environmental, social and political issues, because we have a
including all equipment and museum
significant responsibility for the state of the world.”
admission.
Additional February Gaea Guide op-
The Rachel Carson Distinguished Lecture panels take place at 10 a.m., in Aca-
demic Building 5, at Florida Gulf Coast University and at 7 p.m. at St. Michael and
tions include sunset and manatee tours
All Angels Church, on Sanibel Island. Both events are free and open to the public.
that wind through back bays, rivers,
A brief reception with the scholars follows the evening panel.
aquatic preserves and mangrove forests.
Owner Connie Langmann says, “When
For information on CESE activities and local book talks in February and March,
I’m in some of these mangrove tunnels,
visit FGCU.edu/cese. For more info on the Earth Charter, visit EarthCharter.org.
they remind me of a great cathedral.”
For reservations or more information, call
239-694-5513 or visit GaeaGuides.com.
Additional February activities are listed in
the Calendar of Events.
20 Collier / Lee Counties
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