PERLIN TO LECTURE ON
HISTORY OF WOOD
BLACKSBURG,
Feb. 9, 2004 -- John Perlin,
author of "A Forest Journey:
The Role of Wood in the Development
of Civilization," will lecture
on "The Role of Wood in World
History," March 15 at 3 p.m.,
in the Fralin Biotechnology
Center Auditorium at Virginia
Tech's Blacksburg Campus.
Internationally
known for speaking out about
the worldwide forest loss, Perlin
will discuss how deforestation
accelerates erosion, the greenhouse
effect, and the expansion of
deserts. The scholar will reflect
on the critical role of wood
in the economic and social decline
of civilizations, including
Greece. He will talk about how
the movement of Western civilization
parallels the need for wood
resources.
Perlin has also published books
on the history of solar energy,
architecture, and technology.
His books are printed in five
countries, and he has lectured
in Brazil. "A Forest Journey"
received awards from London
Times Books Review and the Geographic
Society of Chicago. Perlin has
also published more than 30
articles in recent publications.
His books received praise from
such media giants as the British
Broadcasting Company, the Christian
Science Monitor, and Los Angeles
Times.
A reception will follow the
lecture in Fralin Atrium. For
further information on this
event sponsored by Virginia
Tech's College of Natural Resources,
contact Robert Bush at (540)
231-8834 or rbush@vt.edu.
The
College of Natural Resources
consistently ranks among the
top five programs of its kind
in the nation. Faculty members
stress both the technical and
human elements of natural resources
and instill in students a sense
of stewardship and land-use
ethics. Areas of studies include
environmental resource management,
fisheries and wildlife sciences,
forestry, geospatial and environmental
analysis, natural resource recreation,
urban forestry, wood science
and forest products, geography,
and international development.
