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New York State History | America Through the Centuries | Nature and The Environment | Philosophy, Ethics and Religion | Native American Studies

Cooling Mother Earth: New York's Footprint in Nature, Then and Now

A lecture by Robert Spiegelman

"Are New Yorkers stewards of nature or lords of nature?" This vivid lecture/ multimedia presentation probes the question by revisiting key moments in the Empire State's development history - especially its Indian, Infrastructure and Conservation legacies; then linking them to today's environmental crises. To find answers, Dr. Spiegelman unearths the hidden roots of New Yorkers' conflicting views of nature, development and civilization - both then and now.

"While most people care about the natural environment," says our leading environmentalist E.O. Wilson, "they have been unable to articulate what the stewardship of Nature means to them personally." The fact is, however, that personal stewardship was enacted for centuries by New York's Indian peoples as well as by some white naturalists and conservationists in the pivotal 19th century. Accordingly, the presentation highlights some key links among New York's indigenous, development, and environmental histories.

Part one reviews the first encounters of explorers and settlers with the Iroquois of central New York and the Delaware Lenape of the Hudson Valley. It explores The Dream that drove Development in the Empire State - an East-West Hudson River-to-Great Lakes passage; and how the dream impacted key moments in the Dutch-Indian encounter, the French & Indian Wars, and revolutionary New York's forgotten stormy frontiers. It traces how all paths lead to the all-important Erie Canal and the rise of Syracuse as America's Salt City; and how - in reaction-Adirondack State Park became our last-stand against runaway de-forestation, as well as how the Onondaga people continue to defend the toxic sacred lake that bears their name.

Part two shows how a call to stewardship also drove the core beliefs and urgent warnings of New York's great forgotten Naturalists. It celebrates the forgotten, lasting impact of our first environmentalist, George Perkins Marsh - who predicted that runaway deforestation could cause "desolation almost as complete as that of the moon;" the empowering vision of John Burroughs, America's first nationally-revered naturalist; and the living gift of William Pryor Letchworth, who helped preserve our brilliant "Grand Canyon of the East."

Lastly, in words and images, Dr. Spiegelman explores how, going forward, the synergy of the Naturalist tradition and today's Iroquois environmental activities can be both practical and empowering. A tour-de-force, his presentation shows them as essential voices and vital tools in facing life-and-death concerns that range from global warming and energy-conservation to species-preservation and reforestation.

This lecture is available from November 1, 2007 to November 1, 2010

Can be tailored to a high school audience

Setup Needed

  • Microphone optional
  • Computer and projection screen for PowerPoint required
  • Live internet connection is ideal, but optional.

Dr. Robert Spiegelman

President, Real-View Media, LLC

As a sociologist, multimedia artist and writer, Spiegelman presents widely on New York, Iroquois, Irish and environmental themes. The founder of SullivanClinton.com and Derryveagh.com, Spiegelman revisits hidden histories that link past and present, and foster indigenous values of peace, democracy and nature-in-balance. A college teacher for 12 years, he holds a Doctorate in Sociology from CUNY Graduate Center.

For more information, visit Dr. Spiegelman's web trilogy: SullivanClinton.com, Derryveagh.com and StakedPlains.com.

Telephone: 212-222-8228
Website: www.thenandnow.us
Address: Real View Media, LLC
860 West End Avenue, Suite 3
New York, NY  10025
New York County
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