Media Advisory: TIME Magazine's "Hero for the Planet" Sylvia Earle to Speak at UB Oct. 13

Oceanographer Sylvia Earle, who TIME magazine named its first "hero for the planet" in 1998, will speak at the University at Buffalo at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13, in the Center for the Arts as part of UB's Distinguished Speakers Series.

A marine biologist who has been explorer-in-residence at National Geographic since 1998, Earle has pioneered research on marine ecosystems, led more than 70 expeditions and authored more than 175 publications, including the 2008 National Geographic book, "Ocean: An Illustrated Atlas."

She also has played a key role in established marine protected areas globally, including the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands National Marine Monument. Earle is this year's UB Graduate Student Choice Speaker.

During the program, audio and/or video photography, as well as still photography, will be limited to the first five minutes of each speaker's segment of the program.

Working media may reserve tickets by contacting Christine Vidal in UB Office of Communications at 645-4607 or vidal@buffalo.edu no later than noon on Wednesday, Oct. 13. Reserved tickets may be picked up at the will-call window in the Center for the Arts prior to the program. Media may be required to show press credentials in order to be admitted to the program.

Press arrangements: Lois Baker, onsite, at 481-0381.