Julia Butterfly Hill to Speak at Delta Symposium XIX as part of Lecture-Concert Series, April 18
JONESBORO -- Former Jonesboro resident Julia Butterfly Hill is a featured guest at this year’s Delta Symposium at Arkansas State University. Her presentation, part of the Lecture-Concert Series, is scheduled for Thursday, April 18, at 7 p.m. at ASU’s Reng Student Union auditorium.
In her presentation, "What's Your Tree? Having a Life of Purpose, Passion, and Power," she will focus on her vision of turning inspiration into action. Her talk will help develop the overall theme of this year’s Delta Symposium, "Cultivating the Delta." As with all symposium and Lecture-Concert events, her presentation is free and open to the public.
The Green Team, a registered student organization at Arkansas State, "believes Julia 'Butterfly' Hill's story will inspire the ASU community to make a difference and challenge us to consider sustainable practices and engage in green initiatives," commented April Hicks Konvalinka, staff advisor to the group.
Hill brought international attention to the plight of the world’s last remaining ancient forests when she climbed 180 feet into the branches of a 1,000-year-old redwood tree and refused to come down. Her historic protest to the environmental destruction caused by the clear-cutting of northern California’s ancient redwoods culminated after 738 days with a negotiated agreement that provided permanent protection for the tree known as “Luna” and a three-acre buffer zone around it.
An activist, writer and poet, Hill is author of the national best seller “The Legacy of Luna” and co-author of “One Makes The Difference,” both published by Harper Collins. The audio release, “Spiritual Activation,” captures her vital message as it is given at standing-room-only appearances across the country. All of Hill’s books and CD packaging have been published with 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper with soy-based inks and chlorine-free processing, pushing the publishing industry to a higher standard of ecological sustainability.
The recipient of numerous prestigious awards and distinctive honors, Julia Butterfly Hill is one of the most internationally recognizable figures in environmental activism. In 1999, she founded the non-profit organization, Circle of Life, to promote the sustainability, restoration and preservation of all life. She also has helped launch and continues to support The Engage Network, www.engagenet.org, What’s Your Tree, www.whatsyourtree.org, and the Women’s Earth Alliance, www.womensearthalliance.org.
Hill’s life story and her book, “The Legacy of Luna,” based on her personal account of the Luna tree-sit action, is being developed as a dramatic feature film. The project is committed to establishing a “green set” standard for the film industry.
A frequent speaker on university campuses, Hill has addressed the United Nations, lobbied Congress, and has continued to stand on the front lines of environmental and social justice issues all over the world. Her courage, conviction and profound clarity in articulating a message of hope, self-empowerment and love and respect for all life have inspired millions of people worldwide, according to Symposium organizers.
Information about ASU’s Lecture-Concert Series and the current schedule is online at http://www.astate.edu/college/fine-arts/lecture-concert-series/.
The Lecture-Concert Series serves Arkansas State University and the surrounding communities by bringing notable guest speakers and performers of diverse backgrounds and wide appeal to the ASU campus.
Many of the Lecture-Concert Series events include additional campus activities as well as community outreach projects. For more information, contact Dr. Tim Crist, tcrist@astate.edu, (870) 972‑2094.
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An overview of Delta Symposium XIX is available at:
http://www.astate.edu/a/asunews/newsDetails.dot?newsid=c218714c-8345-41cc-9dc5-d58f34c17827
