Robyn du Pré to discuss citizen involvement in marine conservation Nov. 7

Robyn du Pré, executive director of the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Foundation, will discuss citizen involvement in marine stewardship as part of Western Washington University’s Huxley College of the Environment Speaker Series at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7, in Communications Facility 105 on Western’s campus.

The presentation is free and open to the public.

In her talk, titled “Citizen Engagement in Marine Conservation,” du Pré will explore citizen engagement in advocacy, policy and restoration of marine resources, with a focus on the task of involving local citizens in stewardship of their home waters through volunteerism. She will also describe the model for citizen-based stewardship created by the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative.

Du Pré has 25 years of experience in leading nonprofit conservation organizations. Prior to joining the NSMCF, du Pré served as executive director of RE Sources for Sustainable Communities and North Sound Baykeeper, and was an environmental liaison to local government through the Puget Sound Action Team. Du Pré has been acknowledged for her work as a Hero for the Environment by the Washington Toxics Coalition, received the Governor’s Pollution Prevention Award from the state of Washington and was named an Environmental Hero by RE Sources for Sustainable Communities. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and a master’s degree in Political Science and Environmental Policy, both from Western Washington University.

The presentation will include a question-and-answer period. Anyone interested in the topic is encouraged to attend and participate. The Speaker Series, sponsored by Western’s Huxley College of the Environment, is intended to bring together environmentally-minded members of the Western Washington University and Bellingham communities. Speakers address topics of contemporary environmental concern in the region and the world.

For more information, contact Western’s Huxley College of the Environment at 360-650-3520.

Western’s Huxley College of the Environment is one of the oldest environmental colleges in the nation and a recognized leader in producing the next generation of environmental stewards. Huxley’s distinctive, interdisciplinary curriculum reflects a broad view of the physical, biological, social, and cultural world, and has earned international recognition for quality.