Will Steger, world renowned polar explorer, educator, photographer, writer and lecturer will present a retrospective of a life in the arctic regions of the world. He has logged thousands of miles of travel by dogsled and has become a voice calling for understanding and the preservation of the arctic. Join us for his vivid account of the changes that he’s witnessed firsthand, caused by global warming pollutants, in Arctic regions over four decades of polar exploration. Steger shares stunning photographs from his expeditions along with compelling data and satellite imagery to document the deterioration in the polar ice caps. Steger is a witness to the diverse and harmful effects of global warming to indigenous cultures, wildlife habitat and Arctic topography.

While the issue is critical, and the presentation is dramatic, Steger’s message is one of hope and empowerment. An understanding of our role in the causes and effects of global warming make this personal. But as Steger explains, solutions are readily available and by making economically and environmentally smart choices people can make a difference, and specifically what we as gardeners can do to have a positive impact. 

Some of Steger's most notable accomplishments have included:

1986: First dogsled journey to the North Pole without re-suppl

1988: 1,600-mile, south-north traverse of Greenland

1989-90: First International Trans-Antarctica dogsled expedition

1995: First dogsled traverse to Arctic Ocean in one season from Russia to Canada via North Pole

1997: Solo From the Pole Expedition

2004: Arctic Transect Expedition, an exploration of Nunavut

2007: Baffin Island Expedition to study effects of global warming

2008: Ellesmere Island Expedition to study receding ice sheets

2008: Greenland Kite-Ski Expedition to document rising summer thaw level and changes to the ice sheet

Tickets:  $20 for Minnesota State Horticulture Society (MSHS) members, $25 for nonmembers. Community members please reserve tickets through MSHS here.  St. Thomas students free with OSI ticket, contact Elise Amel.

Parking:  The University of St. Thomas St. Paul campus has four parking ramps available for visitor parking. Hourly parking at the Anderson Parking Facility and the Morrison Parking Ramp, at the McNeely Ramp and the Anderson Student Center. http://www.stthomas.edu/parking/visitors/visitoroptions/

Pre-event Meet and Greet with Will Steger:  6:15 – 6:45pm, $25 MSHS members, $30 nonmembers.  Call the MSHS office to RSVP: Phone: (651) 643-3601; (800) 676-6747.

Cosponsored by the Minnesota State Horticultural Society.