Jeff Corwin to speak about animal culture, behavior

A passionate voice for animal and nature conservation is bringing his message to Cape Girardeau.

Jeff Corwin, best known as host of the Animal Planet television programs "The Jeff Corwin Experience" and "Corwin's Quest," will deliver a speech, "Tales From the Field," at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Show Me Center.

Corwin has been an advocate for endangered species and delicate ecosystems for nearly three decades, and his speech will offer insight into animal culture and behavior and how we all interact by using examples from his field work.

Dr. Dustin Siegel, assistant professor of biology at Southeast Missouri State University, said he will attend Corwin's speech and has been a fan of "The Jeff Corwin Experience" for a long time.

"His show is my favorite because it's designed for everyone," Siegel said. "It's very educational for adults and kids alike. Somebody can easily get an idea of how animals live in a particular part of the world, whether it's in Africa, South America or North America."

Siegel, who teaches animal physiology at Southeast, said Corwin's presentation style separates him from other animal-show hosts.

"He makes the shows about the animals," he said. "Whether they are aquatic or land-based organisms, Corwin wants you to understand the animals as opposed to making the show about him."

The "Jeff Corwin Experience" reaches more than 13 million viewers in the United States and is viewed in more than 70 countries. Corwin also is host of ABC's Saturday morning series "Ocean Mysteries with Jeff Corwin," and leads the weekly undersea adventure in conjunction with the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.

Corwin also is dedicated to protecting the environments in which animals live. In 1993, he addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations regarding the need to conserve neotropical rain forests. In 2008 he was named Ambassador of Climate Change and Endangered Species on behalf of the Defenders of Wildlife, one of the United States' most prominent conservation organizations. Corwin's book, "100 Heartbeats: The Race to Save Earth's Most Endangered Species," was published in 2010, and he has established an interactive museum and environmental education center called the EcoZone in his home state of Massachusetts.

"What he does is very worthwhile," Siegel said.

Born in 1967, Corwin grew up in Norwell, Mass., and obtained bachelor of science degrees in biology and anthropology from Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, Mass. He pursued his graduate studies at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, obtaining a master of science in wildlife and fisheries conservation and doing work on bats and snakes. In 1999, Bridgewater awarded Corwin an honorary doctorate in public education.

Corwin's speech marks the sixth and final installment of Southeast's 2012-2013 University Speakers Series.

The Southeast Missourian is a sponsor of the event.

Tickets for university students, faculty and staff are free with a valid Redhawks ID in rooms 202 and 204 of the University Center and at the Show Me Center box office. Tickets are $10 for the general public and are available at the Show Me Center box office, at showmecenter.biz and by calling 651-5000.

klewis@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address:

1333 N. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.