World Wildlife Fund president to speak at Vassar, April 8

Kathryn Fuller, president and chief executive officer of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), will give a lecture titled "State of the Natural World" at Vassar College on Tuesday, April 8, at 5:30 p.m. in Sanders Auditorium. The lecture, sponsored by the Environmental Studies program and the Office of the President, is free and open to the public.

Fuller was chosen to lead the WWF - United States as president and CEO in February 1989. Before joining WWF in 1983, Fuller practiced law with the U.S. Department of Justice, first in the Office of Legal Counsel and then in the Land and Natural Resources Division, where she headed the Wildlife and Marine Resources Section.

Her field work includes wildebeest behavioral studies in Tanzania and coral reef studies in the Caribbean. She has received several honorary doctorates and awards, including the U.N. Environment Programme's Global 500. She is also a member of the Council of Foreign Relations.

Fuller's work at WWF has emphasized innovative conservation methods such as debt-for-nature swaps and environmental trust funds, the inclusion of women in grassroots conservation programs, and the design

of projects that provide both environmental and economic benefits. During her 10 years as president and chief executive officer, WWF-US has doubled its membership and tripled its revenue. Founded in 1961, WWF has become one of the world's largest organizations dedicated to the conservation of nature. It has organizations in nearly 100 countries. Forty years ago, WWF«s work consisted mostly of protecting animals and plants threatened with extinction, but since then the scope of the work has broadened. Today, the organization tackles the many forms of pollution that are harming the soil, atmosphere, freshwater, and oceans. It also looks for new and sustainable ways of protecting the planet's natural resources.

For additional information, contact the Program in Environmental Studies at

(845) 437-5340. Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Cathy Jennings, Office of Campus Activities, (845) 437-5370, as far in advance as possible to request reasonable and appropriate accommodations.

Vassar College is a highly selective, coeducational, independent, residential liberal arts college founded in 1861.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations or information on accessibility should contact Campus Activities Office at (845) 437-5370. Without sufficient notice, appropriate space and/or assistance may not be available.

Vassar College is a highly selective, coeducational, independent, residential liberal arts college founded in 1861.

This article was posted on Tuesday, April 8th, 2003.