Don’t miss your chance to learn about some of today’s most pressing environmental issues from scientists working on the front lines. Join us for a special Mac edition of the popular Classes Without Quizzes series. Three distinguished Macdonald staff members will discuss the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences’ current research and how it is advancing the fight against environmental degradation.

This event will be moderated by Marilyn Scott, PhD’80, Director of the McGill School of Environment, which is hosting the discussion as part of its 10th anniversary celebrations. Seating is limited, so please register early.

Please note that online registration is available until September 16, 2008. After this date, only phone, fax and mailed-in registrations will be processed.

Elena Bennett earned her PhD in Limnology and Marine Sciences from the University of Wisconsin. Her research focuses on advancing theory about the interactions among ecosystem services. Before coming to McGill, Dr. Bennett worked on the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, a 1,500-person, four-year attempt to quantify the state of ecosystem services around the world.

George McCourt, MSc'92, is a Faculty Lecturer in the McGill School of Environment. He graduated with his BSc in Geology from the University of Alberta in 1975 and obtained his MSc in Geology from the University of Alberta in 1980, then completed another MSc in 1992 at McGill, in Natural Resource Sciences. His interests are Quaternary Period studies and paleo-climatic reconstructions. He oversees student projects that deal with water consumption, waste management and reducing carbon footprints. He won the 2007 McGill Principal’s Prize for Teaching Excellence in the Faculty Lecturer category.

Donald Smith is a James McGill Professor, Chair of the Department of Plant Science and head of the Green Crop Network and the McGill Network for Innovation in Biofuels and Bioproducts. Recent work in his lab led to the discovery of two sets of compounds produced by bacteria that cause plants to grow faster and produce more biomass and seeds. Increased biomass production means more CO2 is taken from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, reducing greenhouse gases. In his 20 years at McGill, he has been principal investigator on research activities exploring technologies that can lead to a more sustainable society. Dr. Smith was recently honoured by the Association francophone pour le savoir with the 2007 Prix Michel-Jurdant.