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Connecticut College professor to speak about the importance of large nature reserves

October 16, 2007

Robert Askins, the Karla Heurich Harrison '28 Director of the Goodwin-Niering Center for Conservation Biology and Environmental Studies at Connecticut College, will give a lecture about the importance of large nature reserves at 8 p.m. Nov. 7 in the Ernst Common Room in the college's Blaustein Humanities Center.

Askins' "Conservation Across Landscapes: The Importance of Large Nature Reserves," will be the first in the 2007-2008 endowed chair lecture series at the college, sponsored by the Office of the President and the Dean of the Faculty. The talk is free and open to the public.

Askins, who specializes in ornithology, animal behavior, ecology and environmental studies, is nationally recognized for his research of the ecology of migratory birds and the impact of forest fragmentation on their populations. His talk will explore some general patterns that have emerged from his research, with particular emphasis on how habitat fragmentation affects the abundance and diversity of birds. His studies of habitats as different as Japanese deciduous forests and New England salt marshes have led to remarkably similar conclusions about conservation of natural diversity.

For media inquiries contact: Amy Martin (860) 439-2526; a.martin@conncoll.edu