PolyCentric University News Center

Environmentalism started far before talk of global warming, biodiesel and going green. The movement's intriguing history will be discussed during a free Campus Forum on Wednesday, March 5, from noon-1 p.m. in the Bronco Student Center's Centaurus Room.

At the Campus Forum, professor Char Miller will discuss “The Greatest Good: 100 Years of Conservation in America.” Miller will probe the complex beginning of conservationism in the United States: Why did some people in the late nineteenth century conclude that the ravages of industrialization should be restrained? What tactics did they choose and why? What has been the impact of their ideas and activism over time? Using maps, photographs and cartoons, Miller will explore these and other questions to help us better understand these historical controversies and their relation to contemporary environmental dilemmas.

Following the lecture, a book signing will take place from 3:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. at the Bronco Bookstore. Copies of Miller's books will be available for sale.

Miller is a history professor from Trinity University who specializes in American environmental and urban history, and has authored an extensive collection of books including Ground Work: Conservation in American Environmental Culture. He was named a Distinguished Leader for the Organization of American Historians and was recognized as a Piper Professor for teaching in Excellence in 2002. Miller is a Senior Fellow of the Pinchot Institute for Conservation, a contributing writer of the Texas Observer and the associate editor of Environmental History and the Journal of Forestry.

Cal Poly Pomona's Campus Forum is a public lecture series for students, faculty, staff and the community.

“Campus Forum lectures are an opportunity for the entire community to hear new perspectives on important public issues from accomplished people in the field,” said Laurie Shrage, a philosophy professor. “These talks model for our students the virtues of civic engagement and civil dialogue.”

For more information, contact Shrage at (909) 869-4453 or at

ljshrage@cpp.edu.