Huxley College speaker to talk about 'natural infrastructure' at Nov. 12 event

Seattle-based sustainable development advocate and author Anindita Mitra will speak at 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12 in Communication Facility Room 105 on Western Washington University’s campus.

The talk is part of WWU Huxley College of Environment Speaker Series and is free and open to the public.

Mitra will address natural infrastructure, the ability of nature to support life and the 50-year clash of “environment versus economy”. Mitra will also discuss opportunities for blending traditional engineering professions with environmental science and how society can begin to map, measure, and track nature’s ability to provide us with oxygen, clean air, water and food. The talk will include a question-and-answer period, along with an open discussion.

Mitra is an active advocate for the sustainable development of cities in the Pacific Northwest. She is the founding principal of CREÄ Affiliates, a consultancy focused on sustainable planning, building and landscapes and author of “Painting the Town Green.” She also co-authored “Planning Infrastructure to Sustain America” and professional guides including “Sustainable Washington” and American Planning Association’s Energy Guide. She is currently the co-chair of the Climate and Sustainability Initiative of the Washington Chapter of the American Planning Association, along with serving on numerous boards in the Seattle metropolitan area.

WWU’s Huxley College of the Environment Speaker Series brings together faculty members and professionals from environmental studies and sciences as well as other interested members of the WWU and Bellingham communities. Speakers address topics of contemporary environmental concern in the region and the world. For more information, contact Patrick Buckley at (360) 650-4773.

WWU’s Huxley College of the Environment is one of the oldest environmental colleges in the nation and a recognized national leader in producing the next generation of environmental stewards. The College’s academic programs reflect a broad view of the physical, biological, social and cultural world. This innovative and interdisciplinary approach makes Huxley unique, and the College continues to earn international recognition for the quality of its programs.