WASHINGTON, D.C. – Deputy Secretary of the Interior Lynn Scarlett will speak during the centennial celebration of the birth of Rachel Carson at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 19, 2007. Deputy Secretary Scarlett will join wildlife expert Jim Fowler (with live animals), Congressman John Sarbanes, former Senator Paul Sarbanes and U.S. Geological Survey Director Mark Myers at the Patuxent Research Refuge’s National Wildlife Visitor Center in Laurel, Maryland to honor scientist, author, educator and environmental pioneer Rachel Carson.
The ceremony will be followed by activities for families including children’s discovery hikes, habitat tram tours, and more.
Rachel Carson brought world attention to the effects of environmental contaminants on ecosystems in her controversial book, “Silent Spring,” published in 1962. Much of the research related to the impact of pesticides such as, DDT, was undertaken by scientists at Patuxent, our Nation’s first and only wildlife research refuge.
Not only was Rachael Carson a pioneer among women in the scientific field and a pioneer of the environmental movement, but she was also known for her views on children’s education. Her book, “A Sense of Wonder,” brings attention to the need to instill in children a sense of wonder and excitement for the marvels of the natural world.
Who: Deputy Secretary of the Interior Lynn Scarlett
Jim Fowler (with live animals)
Congressman John Sarbanes
Former Senator Paul Sarbanes
U.S. Geological Survey Director Mark Myers
What: Centennial Celebration of the Birth of Rachel Carson – scientist, author, educator
and pioneer in the environmental movement.
When: 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 19, 2007; activities for families will continue until 3:00 p.m.
Where: Patuxent Research Refuge’s National Wildlife Visitor Center
10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop
Laurel, MD 20708
(off of Powder Mill Road, between the Baltimore/Washington Parkway and
Rt. 197, south of Laurel)
Media: All credentialed media are invited to attend and photograph the event.