A West Virginia University professor emeritus will discussSnapping Turtles of the Canaan Valleyat the 2003 Maurice Brooks Lecture Monday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m. Edwin Michael, a longtime professor of wildlife and fisheries resources in WVU s Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences will speak in room 459 of the Business and Economics Building on WVU s Downtown Campus.

During Michaels 40-year career as a wildlife biologist, he produced over 100 publications, both scientific and popular. He has spent a considerable amount of time in West Virginias Canaan Valley, conducting research, directing wildlife surveys, leading field trips, and taking advantage of the areas vast recreational opportunities. Michael has worked with the Davis Power Project, studying snapping turtles, and has conducted surveys of the endangered West Virginia northern flying squirrel. He joined the Davis Colleges Division of Forestry in 1970 and retired in 1997, receiving emeritus status in 1998.

The lecture series is held in honor of the late Maurice Brooks, a professor of wildlife management in the Davis College who was described by peers as arenaissance naturalistof the Appalachian region. The Maurice Brooks Lectureship Series was established through gifts to the West Virginia University Foundation, a private, non-profit corporation that generates and provides support for WVU . It is currently conducting a $250 millionBuilding GreatnessCampaign on behalf of the university. A five-year effort, the campaign has generated $281 million in gifts and pledges and concludes Dec. 31, 2003.

For additional information, contact John Edwards, assistant professor of Wildlife and Fisheries Resources, at 304-293-2941, ext. 2492.