Utah State Eastern presents “The Best Idea We Ever Had:” Wallace Stegner and Artistic Tradition of America’s National Parks
Wednesday, February 25 from 6:00PM to 7:00PM
At the Utah State Eastern Central Instruction Building Room #101

In 1955, famed author and Utahn, Wallace Stegner, wrote an impassioned plea to the American people on behalf of Dinosaur National Monument to advocate against a dam that was being proposed on the Green River that would have flooded Dinosaur National Monument. Stegner could not believe that the United States government would violate the sanctity of a national park unit. Stegner was successful in his quest and became an outspoken defender of America’s national parks. This talk will focus on some key artists and writers who have played a pivotal role in using their work to help advocate on behalf of America’s national parks.

Michaelann Nelson is an English professor at Utah State University Eastern whose research focuses on environmental rhetoric and literature. She has written extensively about environmental issues of the Southwest and is currently working on a book about the environmental rhetoric of Glen Canyon on the Colorado River. In addition to her research, Nelson is an award-winning teacher committed to mentoring student research, cultivating critical thinking, and meaningful community engagement. She also directs the USU Eastern Writing Center