Steve Polasky, Fesler-Lampert Professor of Ecological/Environmental Economics at the University of Minnesota, will speak on "The Main Challenges to Mainstreaming Natural Capital," Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. in Memorial Lounge, Waterman Building.

The event is free and open to the public, and a reception will immediately follow.

Polasky, a UVM James Marsh Professor-at-Large, is among the world’s leaders in combining ecology and economics to quantify the benefits of nature to human society. He has assessed the impact of biofuels on agricultural landscapes, climate change, and food prices, and he has pioneered a rigorous return-on-investment approach to endangered species policy. He was the senior staff economist for environment and resources for the President’s Council of Economic Advisers 1998-1999.  He was elected into the National Academy of Sciences and has been a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Information: www.uvm.edu/president/marsh, (802) 656-3186.