6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Richard B. Russell Building Special Collections Libraries Room 271 Sponsored by: Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources Contact: John Campbell 770- 297-3066 Author Jay Turner will headline a presentation on federally designated wilderness on Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. at the Richard B. Russell Building, Special Collections Libraries in Athens, Ga. Following the presentation, Turner along with event sponsors USDA Forest Service , The Wilderness Society , Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards (SAWS) , and the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia will share perspectives on wilderness in Georgia and host a question and answer session.  Beginning at 5 p.m. the library will offer visitors access to special collections galleries that uniquely showcase Georgians and their relationships with the natural world. The event and parking are free and open to the public.Keynote speaker Jay Turner is the author of The Promise of Wilderness: American Environmental Politics since 1964 . His book has been called “the most deeply researched, analytically rigorous, and elegantly written study of American Wilderness politics since the 1960s.” Turner received a doctorate in history from Princeton University, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Environmental Studies Program at Wellesley College.  Since 1974 more than 486,000 acres of wilderness have been designated by Congress in Georgia. These lands have been set aside for permanent protection because of their intact natural ecosystems. Wilderness is managed in a way that allows many recreational activities but also contain some restrictions to protect the area in its natural state. In Georgia, the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests feature nearly 118,000 acres of wilderness .“This unique event offers folks the opportunity to learn more about the value of wilderness and the history shaping the future of wilderness designation and management,” said John Campbell , wilderness program manager for the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. “It will be a fascinating discussion, and I encourage anyone who cares about wilderness to come out, take part, and bring some thought-provoking questions for the panel.”For more information about this event, including a map, directions and wilderness areas of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, visit www.fs.usda.gov/conf , or call the Forest Service at (770) 297-3066.The Wilderness Society is the leading public lands conservation organization working to protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places. Founded in 1935, it has led the effort to permanently protect 110 million acres of wilderness and to ensure sound management of our shared national lands. SAWS is a project of The Wilderness Society, dedicated to providing stewardship to areas designated and managed as wilderness on our public lands.The Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia prepares leaders in the conservation and sustainable management of forests and other renewable natural resources using the latest ideas and technology for real-world applications. The Richard B. Russell Special Collections Libraries Building is Georgia’s newest cultural destination located on the campus of the University of Georgia, offering researchers and visitors a glimpse into the history, politics, and culture of Georgia from its founding through today. The library is located at 300 South Hull Street .The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests provide the finest outdoor recreation opportunities and natural resources in Georgia. Featuring nearly 867,000 acres, hundreds of miles of clear-running streams and rivers, approximately 850 miles of recreation trails, and dozens of campgrounds, picnic areas, and other recreation activity opportunities, these lands are rich in natural scenery, history and culture. The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests is part of the Southern Region, with the Forest Supervisor’s office in Gainesville, Georgia, managing four District units in Blairsville (Blue Ridge District), Lakemont (Chattooga River District), Chatsworth (Conasauga District), and Eatonton (Oconee District).