A recording of this talk is available.
The talk will be held virtually via Zoom and in-person at 107 Norman Smith Hall, UMaine, Orono.
- Virtual attendance: Complete the registration form for Zoom connection information
Co-Sponsors
- Ecology & Environmental Sciences Program, UMaine
- School of Biology & Ecology, UMaine
- Dept. of Wildlife, Fisheries & Conservation Biology, UMaine
Speaker: William Ginn, globally recognized expert on investing and valuing ecosystem services
In a few swift months, the current federal administration has abandoned any action on climate change, shifted energy incentives back to oil and gas from solar and wind, and repositioned the nation’s environment agency towards facilitating development rather than protecting nature.
These rapid moves deeply challenge the proposition that shifting investing toward “green” infrastructure is the only long term sustainable path for the world. This talk will explore these changes and consider how progress can still be made toward conserving the lands and waters upon which all life depends.
William Ginn is a globally recognized expert on investing and valuing ecosystem services. The author of two books on the subject, Ginn founded NatureVest, The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) partnership with private investment capital that now has over $3 billion dollars under management. He also served as the chief conservation officer of TNC, running their worldwide activities in more that 65 countries with over 3,000 employees.
Ginn has a long relationship with Maine having graduated from the first class of students at the College of the Atlantic. He was the executive director of Maine Audubon and has been a founder of many companies in Maine including MEMIC, TimberHP and Katahdin Salmon. He is the recipient of the Governors Award for Business Leadership, and received an honorary doctorate from Unity College for his work to pass Maine’s Returnable Container Law and as chair of the Maine Pesticide Control Board.
He now splits his time between a farm in Pownal, Maine and on Eagle Island in Eastern Penobscot Bay.
