The University of Georgia's Odum School of Ecology is celebrating its 10th anniversary, which is also the 50th Anniversary of the Institute of Ecology, which it was previously named. The event kicked off this week with a lecture, discussion, and exhibitions at the Richard B. Russell Special Collections Library.
Activities honor founder Eugene Odum. James W. Porter, Meigs Professor of Ecology Emeritus, was one of the featured speakers.
“In 1967 when the Institute of Ecology was formed, Gene had an amazing vision and he got the university to agree that as an Institute of Ecology, with faculty members coming from all the tradition departments, we would be the first institute allowed to offer a higher degree.” According to Porter.
Porter was also a winner at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival for his work in the film “Chasing Coral.” Porter says it shows how the planet is changing.
“The film looks are paired images before and after. Those paired images were the core of the film and its real message is on the effects of climate change on coral reefs, however the film goes beyond that and offers concrete immediate and effect ways to combat climate change.”
The exhibit “Celebrating 50 Years of Ecology at the University of Georgia,” on display in the Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript gallery through October 14th.