Conservationist and television personality Jeff Corwin brought his charm and expertise to MSU, speaking in front of a packed Auditorium on Tuesday night.
The lecture is this year's second installment of the M. Peter and Joanne M. McPherson Endowed Professorship for the Understanding of Science lecture series.
Uncharacteristically removed from the menagerie of animals featured on his show "The Jeff Corwin Experience," on Animal Plant, Corwin spoke about the importance of ecosystems and told anecdote after anecdote from his experiences around the world.
"Science today is not just about the raw information," he said in his lecture. "It's about taking this information and engaging it in our lives."
While working toward degrees in anthropology and biology at Bridgewater State College in Massachusetts, Corwin became an activist, working to protect tropical rain forests. His activism led to the formation of the Emerald Canopy Rainforest Foundation, a grass-roots group dedicated to protecting the rain forest through habitat conservation and educational outreach.
Now, Corwin said he likes to pass on what he learned to college-age people.
"These are people who are stepping into their careers," Corwin said Tuesday afternoon. "I like to let them pick my brain, and hopefully, I can offer some advice."
Fisheries and wildlife graduate student Heather Patt, who worked with animals as a zoo keeper in Illinois and with international conservation projects, said she respects Corwin's work.
"People view him as a very real person, and he provides education with a sense of humor that people can relate to," Patt said.
Today, Corwin will be visiting with integrated studies in biological sciences and journalism classes to speak with students and talk about his profession.
Journalism Professor Stephen Lacy's introduction to mass media class will be one of the classes that Corwin visits.
"He seems to be very knowledgeable of science, and he's a great television personality," said Lacy, adding that he has watched Corwin's shows from time to time. "He's not quite as out there as 'The Crocodile Hunter,' but it's important that he gets his kind of personality across on television."
Despite the comparison between Corwin and Crocodile Hunter host Steve Irwin, Corwin said there is no rivalry between the two animal gurus.
"I've never actually met him," Corwin said. "We have two totally different styles for what we do."
MSU alumnus Clark Bunting, the executive vice president and general manager of the Discovery Channel and founder of Animal Planet, introduced Corwin.
Bunting helped with the creation of "Vet School Confidential," a series featuring MSU's College of Veterinary Medicine.
"Jeff gives an awful lot of information but makes it fun," Bunting said. "He's really pumped about what he does, and it shows on television. With Jeff, what you see is what you get."
