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Philosophy Walk: Wildlife Recovery & Ethics

June 11, 2023 @ 9:30 am - 12:30 pm MDT

Walk Details

In this walk led by philosopher Christopher Preston, we’ll explore five questions regarding how we think about the wild:

  • Does a wildlife species need to be genetically pure (or free of human influence) to be authentic, or is the future inevitably one where animals are shaped by our actions?
  • Can we surrender the idea that humans can solve any problem and turn some challenges (e.g. river restoration, carbon sequestration) over to wildlife and natural systems?
  • How much management of wildlife is too much? Are conservation-reliant species (spotted owls, California condors) really wild?
  • Does it make sense to think of animals (whales, sea otters, wildebeest, etc.) as partners?
  • Can animals help us rethink the culture/nature and civilized/wild divides?

Our group will meet at the Helena Valley Reservoir and explore these questions on a walk-about totaling roughly 3 miles roundtrip with stops for conversation & more.  

Wildlife Recovery & Ethics

w/ Christopher Preston

When & Where

This walk led by philosopher Christopher Preston will take place on Sunday, June 11th.

Walk Details

Date: Sunday, June 11th
Time: 9:30am – 12:30pm MT
Trail Location: Helena Reservoir Loop (We’ll meet in the parking lot area just after you turn off of York Rd onto Helena Regulating Reservoir Rd.  There is a restroom & a picnic table by the water)

 

Registration Info

RSVP: Sign up here!
Cost: Free (Donations Welcome)
Other:  Bring comfortable walking shoes, water & a snack

Walk Guide

Christopher Preston, PhD is a professor of philosophy at The University of Montana. His areas of specialty include environmental philosophy, climate ethics, the ethics of emerging technologies, rewilding, and feminist philosophy.

A native of England – who has studied and worked in Colorado, Alaska, Oregon, Washington DC, and South Carolina – his life in the US is oriented in many ways around the power of wild landscapes.

In addition to being a professor, Christopher has worked as a commercial fisherman, a tool librarian, and a backcountry Park Service Ranger. Christopher has published extensively on climate engineering, synthetic biology, and the new epoch of the Anthropocene, and finds significance in both the new, and the traditional, wild.

RSVP Here

You will receive a confirmation of your RSVP shortly after you register via e-mail.  As the walk date approaches, we will contact you with any additional relevant information.  If you do NOT receive an e-mail shortly after registering, please contact [email protected].

For those who have not been on our walks before, you can get a feel for our walks and what they’re all about by visiting our walk archive page.  In the meantime, here is a logistical snapshot.

Here is  a general overview of what you can expect on our Philosophy Walks:

  • Free to the Public (donations welcome/appreciated)
  • 3 hour walks (opportunities for rest along the way)
  • Casual, positive & supportive experience
  • 1-2 walk guides
  • Small group sizes (generally 7-15 people; may be larger for special occasion walks)
  • Ample opportunity to enjoy nature

To get the most out of your experience with us and enjoy a healthy & safe walk, please bring with you on the day of the walk/hike:

  • Water & Snack
  • Weather appropriate attire & sun protection
  • A walking stick/Trekking poles
  • Comfortable Shoes/Hiking Boots

Make a Donation Here

Our philosophy walks are free to the community.  While donations are never expected, they are always appreciated and help to keep programs like these going. Your tax-deductible donations help to cover honorariums, logistics, materials, implementation, resource archiving, and more! For those facing more challenging financial circumstances, we ask that you please try to “pay it forward” with acts of kindness for your neighbors and community.  If you’d like to make a donation you can do so here (or the button above) anytime or in person on the day of the walk.

Details

Date:
June 11, 2023
Time:
9:30 am - 12:30 pm MDT
Event Category:
Event Tags:
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Venue

Helena Valley Reservoir
Helena, MT 59602 United States
View Venue Website

Organizer

Marisa Diaz-Waian
Phone
406-439-5788
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