Richard Conniff and The Species Seekers

The Rockfall Foundation of Middlesex County is hosting Richard Conniff and The Species Seekers for an evening presentation and conversation on October 6, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the deKoven House Community Center.

An award winning and nationally acclaimed science writer, Richard Conniff will focus on the fascinating, colorful story of how species get discovered-- and why it’s still such an import human endeavor. Richard’s talk will be based on his most current book, The Species Seekers: Heroes, Fools and the Mad Pursuit of Life on Earth (W.W. Norton), which chronicles the history of early naturalists, who with “more swagger than scientific training made it their mission to go to the most perilous corners of the planet and bring back astonishing new species.” An informal reception will follow.

Richard is a former 2007 Guggenheim Fellow and National Magazine Award winner whose articles have appeared in Time, Smithsonian, The Atlantic, The New York Times Magazine, National Geographic, and other publications as well as e-magazines including Yale Environment 360. He is a frequent blogger and commentator on NPR, and has written and presented television shows for the National Geographic Channel, TBS, and the BBC, among others. Richard is the author of seven books, including Swimming with Piranhas at Feeding Time: My Life Doing Dumb Stuff with Animals (Norton), and Spineless Wonders: Strange Tales of the Invertebrate World (Holt.) Copies of The Species Seekers and Swimming with Piranhas will be available for purchase and signing.

Seating is limited and advanced registration is required. Suggested donation: $20 per guest. For reservations: Call Tony at (860)347-0340; or email tmarino@rockfallfoundation.org.

The deKoven House Community Center is located at 27 Washington Street in Middletown. There is some limited parking in the Center’s small lot, as well as parking in the city lot next door. For directions go to www.rockfallfoundation.org and click on the deKoven House page.

The Rockfall Foundation supports environmental education, conservation programs and planning initiatives in Middlesex County. Established in 1935, it is one of Connecticut’s oldest environmental organizations whose mission is to be a catalyst-- bringing people together and supporting organizations to conserve and enhance the county’s natural environment. Rockfall awards grants each year to organizations, schools and municipalities, and continues to hold and manage open space property in the county.