By Lizia Oliveira, student news writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Dr. William H. Martin, chair of the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund, will lead the last session in the fall 2008 semester Environmental Studies Speaker Series at Campbellsville University.
The session will be Friday, Nov. 7, at 10 a.m. in room 220 of the Science Building where Martin will be sharing his perspectives on the significance and ecology of old-growth forests.
The Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation’s (KSNPC’s) mission is to protect Kentucky’s natural heritage by working to protect Kentucky’s biological diversity and educating Kentuckians as to the value and purpose of nature preserves and biodiversity conservation.
Martin has been chairman of the KSNPC’s board since it foundation in 1994. During these last years, the committee has been able to make grants in excess of $31 million toward purchase of more than 27,000 acres of natural lands for permanent protection across the state.
Martin was a professor of biology at Eastern Kentucky University from
1969 until his retirement in 2005 and also served as commissioner of the Department for Natural Resources from 1992 to 1998. He was instrumental in the protection of Lilley Cornett Woods in Letcher County and worked as its research coordinator from 1977 to 2005. In 2006, he was presented with the Biological Diversity Protection Award from the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission.
Martin has published at least 21 edited or refereed books and papers, the most significant of which is the three-volume “Biodiversity of the Southeastern United States.”
For more information, contact Dr. Richie Kessler, associate professor of biology/environmental studies program coordinator, at (270) 789-5326.
Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 2,601 students who represent 93 Kentucky counties, 27 states and 31 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News & World Report’s 2009 “America’s Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 22nd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South for the second consecutive year. CU has been ranked 16 consecutive years with U.S.News & World Report. The university has also been named to America’s Best Christian Colleges®. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his tenth year as president.