Each year, the Whitney R. Harris World Ecology Center organizes and co-sponsors the Whitney and Anna Harris Conservation Forum in partnership with the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Saint Louis Zoo, and the Academy of Science St. Louis. The forum provides an opportunity for interaction between conservation organizations and the general public. The forum hosts 3-4 speakers with a dinner after the second speaker. Following the final speaker, there is a panel discussion. This event is meant to promote learning, discussion, and new viewpoints. 

2018 Conservation Forum: Traditional Ecological Knowledge

Held on November 8, 2018 at the Living World in the St. Louis Zoo

"Living the Earth, Facing the Sun: A Philosophy of Native Science."

Gregory Cajete, PhD., University of New Mexico

Gregory Cajete, Native American educator whose work is dedicated to honoring the foundations of indigenous knowledge in education. Dr. Cajete is a Tewa Indian from Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico. He has served as a New Mexico Humanities scholar in ethno botany of Northern New Mexico and as a member of the New Mexico Arts Commission. He worked at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico for 21 years, is the former Director of Native American Studies at the University of New Mexico, and is currently a Professor there with a joint appointment in Education and Native American Studies. Dr. Cajete also designs culturally-responsive curricula. 

"Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Environmental Futures."

Deborah McGregor, PhD., York University

Deborah McGregor joined York University’s Osgoode Hall law faculty in 2015 as a cross-appointee with the Faculty of Environmental Studies. Professor McGregor’s research has focused on Indigenous knowledge systems and their various applications in diverse contexts including water and environmental governance, environmental justice, health and environment, and sustainable development. Her research has been published in a variety of national and international journals and she has delivered numerous public and academic presentations relating to Indigenous knowledge systems, governance and sustainability. She remains actively involved in a variety of Indigenous communities, serving as an advisor and continuing to engage in community-based research and initiatives.

"Traditional Ecological Knowledges: An Antidote To Destruction.”

Daniel Wildcat, Ph.D., Michigan State University

Daniel R. Wildcat is a Yuchi member of the Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma. He is member of the Indigenous & American Indian Studies Program at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas. Dr. Wildcat frequently speaks to community groups and organizations on the issues of biological and cultural diversity. In 1992 Dr. Wildcat was honored with the Heart Peace Award by the Kansas City organization The Future Is Now for his efforts to promote world peace and cultural diversity. Dr. Wildcat’s recent activities have revolved around forming the American Indian and Alaska Native Climate Change Working Group: a tribal college-centered network of individuals and organizations working on climate change issues.