Michigan Tech Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society to host presentation: "Should We Save the Wolves of Isle Royale?" Nov. 12

Professor Michael Paul Nelson of Oregon State University will speak on the question "Should We Save the Wolves of Isle Royale?" at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at Michigan Tech. (Poster courtesy Michigan Tech Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society)

HOUGHTON -- Michigan Tech's Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society will present "Should We Save the Wolves of Isle Royale? What the interested public thinks and why they think it" by Michael Paul Nelson, professor at Oregon State University, at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, in Room 138 of Fisher Hall at Michigan Tech.

Nelson will discuss the topic of wolf restoration on Isle Royale, along with public opinion on the matter.*

The presentation is free and open to the public.

Nelson is also resident philosopher of the Isle Royale Wolf/Moose project and spends part of each summer working with the animal ecologists on the island. He is the co-creator and co-director, with Michigan Tech Professor and Wildlife Biologist John A Vucetich, of the Conservation Ethics Group, an environmental ethics and problem solving consultancy group. Nelson’s research and teaching focus is environmental ethics and philosophy, and he holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from Lancaster University, England.**

In addition to publishing many essays and articles, Nelson is the co-author or co-editor of four books, including MORAL GROUND: Ethical Action for a Planet in Peril, which he co-edited with Kathleen Dean Moore. That book was the subject of a discussion on "What do we owe the future?" led by Nelson at Portage Lake District Library in 2010.

At Oregon State, Nelson is a professor of environmental philosophy and ethics and holds the Ruth H. Spaniol Chair of Renewable Resources. He serves as the Lead Principal Investigator for the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest Long-Term Ecological Research program. Nelson is called upon regularly by various government agencies and conservation organizations to assist with understanding the ethical implications of natural resource management decisions.

Editor's Notes:

* For background, click here to read our Aug. 25, 2015, article, "Public comments on Isle Royale Moose-Wolf-Vegetation Management Plan/EIS due Aug. 29; wildlife experts concerned about wolf rescue," concerning the July 27, 2015, Open House seeking public input on the proposed Moose-Wolf-Vegetation Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (plan/EIS) for Isle Royale National Park.

** Click here to read about the Conservation Ethics Group.