Biodiversity at 25 – series of UO workshops begins Nov. 21

The paradox of biodiversity will be the subject of a series of workshops beginning Nov. 21 at the University of Oregon and continuing through next spring.

Contrary to popular thinking, biodiversity is not always considered to be good for conservation. The difficulties of defining and measuring biodiversity, combined with growing evidence that it does not always serve conservation, suggest that common understandings of biodiversity should be reconsidered.

Brendan Bohannan, Nicolae Morar and Ted Toadvine have organized “Biodiversity at Twenty-Five: The Problem of Ecological Proxy Values,” a series of free interdisciplinary workshops for students and faculty from biology, philosophy and environmental studies. The public is welcome at each workshop, and each will feature a biodiversity scholar.

“Can Biodiversity Ground Normative Truths?” featuring Donald Maier, runs from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, in the John E. Jaqua Academic Center for Student Athletes Auditorium, 1615 E. 13th Ave., Eugene. Maier is the author of “What’s So Good About Biodiversity: A Call for Better Reasoning About Nature’s Value.”

“10 Things You Can Do for Biodiversity,” featuring David Hooper, runs from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. March 12, also in the Jaqua auditorim. Hooper is a biologist at Western Washington University.

Kim Sterelny, an Australian philosopher, will speak in May, scheduling to be determined. Sterelny is a professor of philosophy in the Research School of Social Sciences at Australian National University and Victoria University of Wellington.

For more information, contact Nicolae Morar. Accommodations for people with disabilities will be provided if requested in advance.

The Jaqua Center parking lot is located next to the Center on 13th Ave. The lot is limited to HangTag parking and nine 60-minute pay parking spaces. Payment for these spaces is conducted at the pay-station located next to the lot.

Metered parking is available along 13th Avenue near the facility. Metered restrictions are in effect Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and in some 24-hour restricted spots in posted areas nearby. For more information, call Department of Public Safety at 541-346-5444 or email parking@uoregon.edu.

- from the UO College of Arts and Sciences