The Institute at the Golden Gate, in collaboration with Conservation International, is proud to present a unique lecture series: Head in the Sky, Feet in the Mud: Conversations with Eco-Innovators. The lectures, held at Cavallo Point — the Lodge at the Golden Gate, is generously underwritten by Northern Trust.

The series features preeminent conservationists, academics, and environmental innovators discussing a multitude of subjects from "Boosting Green Enterprise" to "The Art of Conservation" to "People-Centered Conservation Programs." Beginning September 18, 2008, and continuing into the summer of 2009, the series explores the environmental challenges faced throughout the world, looking into societies from Costa Rica to China.

Series lectures

Click below to watch the lectures from the series:

• The Costa Rica Success Story: The Mouse that Roared (First lecture; September 18, 2008)
  Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, Vice President, Conservation International
• Boosting Green Enterprise (Second lecture; September 18, 2008)
  Jen Morris, Vice President, Global Conservation Fund and Verde Ventures, Conservation International
• Carbon Markets: Capitalism Meets Conservation (Third lecture; December 16, 2008)
  Toby Janson-Smith, Senior Director, Forest Carbon Markets, Conservation International
  and Ben Vitale, Managing Director, Conservation and Community Carbon Fund, Conservation International
• China: Sacred Lands and Growing Economies (Fourth lecture; January 13, 2009)
  Lu Zhi, Ph.D., Panda Expert
• The Art of Conservation (Fifth lecture; February 3, 2009)
  Michael Totten, Chief Advisor, Climate, Water, and Biodiversity, Conservation International

Download the "Head in the Sky, Feet in the Mud" program brochure (PDF).