September 17, 2004
China Explorer Visits UW-RF With Latest Developments
By Molly Exner
UW-RF News Bureau
Wong How Man, an explorer who has received international acclaim for his work
in conservation, will speak at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls on Tuesday,
Oct. 12 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in Abbott Concert Hall of the Kleinpell Fine
Arts Building. The event is free and open to the public.
A former photojournalist and expedition leader with the National Geographic
Society, Wong's journey from a UW-River Falls student in the 1970s to "China's
most accomplished living explorer" named by Time Magazine has spread his
extraordinary artistry and research across the globe.
A UW-RF alumni who received the 2002 Distinguished Alumnus Award, Wong's boundless
curiosity leads him to the most remote regions of China to document and conserve
the rich heritage of volatile societies. He founded the China Exploration and
Research Society in 1986, and through CERS continues he to conduct multidisciplinary
research, implement nature and culture conservation projects, and disseminate
results through education and popular channels.
Wong's presentation will offer insight on CERS achievements and current and
future projects. A reception and exhibition in Gallery 101 of the Kleinpell
Fine Arts Building will follow the presentation.
Wong is credited with finding the true source of the Yangtze River along with
other discoveries that have earned him nearly 20 international awards. His exploration
activities have been publicized internationally through ABC, CBS, the BBC, Discovery
Channel and the National Geographic Channel. He lectures widely throughout the
Pacific Rim and is an adjunct faculty member to universities and an adviser
to government agencies in the People's Republic of China.
Although exploration satisfied Wong's thirst for knowledge and adventure, he
soon found himself charting a more challenging path toward conservation. When
not in the field, Wong spends much of his time spreading the word about China's
vast natural and cultural treasures. Wong also has authored numerous books on
China exploration and provided advice to numerous international agencies, including
the United Nations.
He's a tireless and steady speaker, traveling the world to share what he's
learned. Since the early 1990s, Wong has returned to the UW-RF campus several
times as a guest lecturer and has donated copies of his books and CD-ROMS to
the UW-RF Chalmer Davee Library.
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