Rick Hansen, Founding Chair of the Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society (FRSCS) and Co-Chair of the Rick Hansen Foundation, will open the plenary session as Honorary Chair of the 7th International Sturgeon Symposium (ISS7) July 2013 on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
Expected to attract more than 600 delegates from around the world, the symposium is co-hosted by Vancouver Island University’s International Centre for Sturgeon Studies and the City of Nanaimo.
Under Hansen’s leadership, the FRSCS develops and promotes education, public awareness initiatives, award-winning research programs and recovery plans for the Fraser River white sturgeon population.
Hansen received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Vancouver Island University in 2009 for his leadership and inspiration to millions of people around the world.
“Champions are required to lead important causes, and we are honored to have Rick Hansen accept our invitation to be Honorary Chair of the ISS7,” said Dr. Ralph Nilson, President and Vice-Chancellor of VIU.
“His trail-breaking work to support white sturgeon conservation through the FRSCS is yet another remarkable example of the value to society that a champion like Rick Hansen can play by mobilizing public support and involvement on critical conservation issues.”
Dr. Harald Rosenthal, President of the World Sturgeon Conservation Society, said, “Rick’s work in public engagement is one of the few examples we have that vividly demonstrates what public participation can achieve in species conservation. The public world-wide needs to hear about these living dinosaurs which may face a dire future without the much needed conservation efforts promoted by FRSCS and its leader. Rick Hansen’s efforts serve as a model for other jurisdictions and efforts should be globally coordinated with the few already travelling the same path.”
“I am truly honored to be selected as Honorary Chair of this event,” said Rick Hansen. “As part of a collaborative team, we’ve spent more than a decade investigating issues that affect the recovery of Fraser River white sturgeon. This symposium will make a difference – it represents the next step in attaining world awareness of preserving vibrant, diverse, ecosystems and developing a healthy planet.”
Hansen, along with President Nilson and Dr. Rosenthal, will welcome delegates to ISS7 at the opening reception in Nanaimo on Sunday evening, July 21, 2013. The next morning, Hansen will deliver the opening address of the conference, entitled “Public involvement as a necessary force/strategy for sturgeon conservation.”
