Rainforests, Habitats, and Economies: A Story of Restoration in Indonesia
Dr. Willie Smits
June 16, 2008, 6:30-8:00
Hosted by Earth & Life Studies at the National Academies and Koshland Science Museum.

What if there was a way to restore rainforests, create new animal habitat, improve regional climate conditions, invigorate local economies, and produce alternative fuel all at the same time? Meet Dr. Willie Smits, forester, soil microbiologist, geneticist, and widely considered the world’s leading protector of the orangutan and their habitat. Smits and his Indonesian team have recreated lush rainforest from several thousand acres of parched grassland, all in the span of just 6-7 years. The rainforest is created from about 1300 species, including many crops vital to the local economy such as the sugar palm, which is a high-yield biofuel crop. The forest is even big enough to impact local climate conditions, with rainfall already up 25 percent. Soon the healthy new rainforest will be ready for the release of orangutans from the region that have been rescued after their habitats were destroyed.

Please join us to hear Dr. Smits talk about his exciting work and his book, Thinkers of the Jungle. This event is free and open to the public at the Koshland Science Museum, located at 6th and E Streets, NW, Washington, DC. RSVP to Koshland Science Museum at ksm@nas.edu or call 202-334-1201.