Two Talking Wolves, Ted Turner and Conservation Tour

How does capitalism need to necessarily change to save the world?  What is the role of young people and what obligation do companies and business people have to give back to society?  Throw in topics like rewilding the West with wolves and grizzly bears, support for the United Nations, and the dangers posed by terrorists armed with nuclear weapons and you’ve got a recipe for fascinating discussion. Anchored by the story of Ted Turner’s evolving connection to his own wild places in the West that shaped his views as an “eco-capitalist-humanitarian,” the Two Talking Wolves Tour promises to inspire audiences of young and old alike.  Come out and discover the pathfinding work of the original Captain Planet and how the Pacific Northwest figures at the center of many urgent environmental issues affecting America and the world.

Todd Wilkinson Nationally-known environmental journalist Todd Wilkinson is author of the new critically-acclaimed book “Last Stand: Ted Turner’s Quest to Save a Troubled Planet” that has been spurring discussions about “eco-capitalism” across the country.   From Turner’s pioneering work in “rewilding the West” with wolves and grizzly bears to raising 50,000 bison, giving $1 billion to the UN and trying to prevent terrorists from getting their hands on nuclear weapons, he has been hailed as a pathfinding 21st century businessman.  Wilkinson, whose work has appeared in national newspapers and magazines, spent seven years going behind the scenes with Turner and tells the dramatic story of how nature not only saved the legendary “media mogul” but left him transformed.   Wilkinson’s slide show discussions have been delighting—and provoking— audiences across the country.

Bob Ferris Known primarily for his groundbreaking work on wolf recovery in the West, Bob Ferris has been a leader in the conservation and sustainability communities for more than 30 years.  Ferris is a trained scientist and former businessman with a long history of working to dispel fear and myths about predators while developing mechanisms to overcome the legitimate barriers to coexistence.  He was part of the volunteer team that went north to Fort Saint John, BC in 1996 to capture wolves bound for Yellowstone and central Idaho during the government shutdown and has crossed back and forth between policy and practice ever since.  He is currently the executive director of Cascadia Wildlands headquartered in Eugene, Oregon.

Mike Finley (Ashland and Roseburg only) An internationally known figure in conservation, sustainability and philanthropy, Mike Finley has a history of providing successful leadership to iconic institutions such as Yellowstone National Park and the Turner Foundation.  Currently the president and treasurer of the Turner Foundation, Finley also serves on the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission and sits on the steering committee of the Energy Futures Coalition.  All of this makes Finley one of Southern Oregon University’s most distinguished alumnus.