New Common Earth Series continues with film screening and program on Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Program

DURANGO, CO – September 17, 2010 – The Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College continues the Common Earth Series: People and Predators: Who’s Eating Whom?, with a second screening of Green Fire Productions’ documentary, Lords of Nature: Life in a Land of Great Predators on Tuesday, September 21 at 7:00pm in the Center of Southwest Studies building, room 230. The film, narrated by Peter Coyote, echoes the belief of legendary conservationist Aldo Leopold, that top predators, like wolves and cougars, are cornerstone species that are vital for healthy, wild lands. A moderated audience discussion follows the screening.

On Wednesday, September 22 at 7:00pm, in the Center of Southwest Studies Lyceum, the Common Earth Series will host a panel discussion, Wolves at our Doorstep: A Case Study. Representatives from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Colorado Division of Wildlife, the ranching community, Michael Robinson from the Center of Biological Diversity, and others, will discuss the Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Program in NM and AZ. A moderated audience discussion will follow the panelists’ presentations.

Both events are free and open to the public.

The Common Earth Series is the result of a group of local partners who are interested in finding practical solutions to environmental and social issues facing us today through open public dialog. These partners include the Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College, the Colorado Division of Wildlife, Durango Nature Studies, the Durango Public Library, La Plata County Living with Wildlife Advisory Board, San Juan Mountains Association, and the San Juan Public Lands Center. The annual series will focus on a different environmental topic each year, bringing in leading experts from multiple perspectives. The series coordinators welcome suggestions for topics for 2011.