One of the most prolific front line environmental activists of the 21st Century is Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who will be the keynote speaker at this year's Sun Valley Wellness Festival on Friday, May 25, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Sun Valley Inn's Limelight Room.
Tickets are $45 for general seating and $100 for VIP seating, which can be purchased at Chapter One Bookstore in Ketchum or online at sunvalleywellness.org.
Once an assistant district attorney in New York City and presidential campaign supporter for Edward M. Kennedy in 1980, Al Gore in 2000 and John Kerry in 2004, Kennedy has since directed all his political savvy toward his commitment to protecting the environment.
Unaffected by controversy and a devotee to environmental issues, Kennedy's legal prowess as an environmental defender earned him a Time magazine honor naming him as one of the "Heroes for the Planet." As chief prosecuting attorney for Riverkeeper, Kennedy led the battle to restore the Hudson River and to safekeep its ecology. As a result, more than 125 Waterkeeper organizations have emerged around the world.
In addition, Kennedy serves as president of Waterkeeper Alliance and senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council. He is a clinical professor and supervising attorney at Pace University School of Law's Environmental Litigation Clinic as well as co-host of Ring of Fire on Air America Radio.
Kennedy's experience with environmental issues throughout the Americas includes working with indigenous tribes in Latin America and Canada, which has led to a great deal of success in negotiating treaties to protect their traditional homelands. The fortitude of Kennedy's commitment to the environment also has led to winning battles to protect the New York City water supply, and his involvement in negotiating an agreement for the New York City watershed for environmentalist catapulted him to international status as a leading force for sustainable development.
Fighting to turn back anti-environmental legislation during the 104th Congress, as well as being a very vocal critic to the Bush administration's environmental policies, has made Kennedy one of the most important figures in the growing green movement for climate change.
Kennedy will deliver a speech on "Our Environmental Destiny," which will discuss the important role our environment plays in our work, health and identity as Americans.
After his speech he will conduct a book signing. Kennedy's published books include New York Times bestseller "Crimes Against Nature" (2004); "The Riverkeepers" (1997), and "Judge Frank M. Johnson, Jr: A Biography" (1977).
Many of Kennedy's articles have appeared in The New York Times, the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal among many other publications. Kennedy has also been featured in the April 2007 issue of Vanity Fair, and his award-winning articles have been included in anthologies of America's best crime writing, best political writing and best science writing.
Festival Schedule
Friday, May 25
From 1 to 4:30 p.m. there will be workshops and presentations at the Sun Valley Resort visit sunvalleywellness.org for times and locations.
Keynote speaker Robert F. Kennedy will be in the Limelight room at the Sun Valley Inn from 7-8 p.m. followed by a book signing.
Saturday, May 26
From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. there will be workshops and presentations at the Sun Valley Resort visit sunvalleywellness.org for times and locations.
From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the Exhibit and Hands on Hall will be open in Limelight rooms B and C at the Sun Valley Inn.
Sunday, May 27
From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. there will be workshops and presentations at the Sun Valley Resort visit sunvalleywellness.org for times and locations.
From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the Exhibit and Hands on Hall will be open in Limelight rooms B and C at the Sun Valley Inn.
From 8 to 10 p.m. Wah! will perform in the Continental room at the Sun Valley Inn.
Monday, May 28
From 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. there will be workshops and presentations at the Sun Valley Resort visit sunvalleywellness.org for times and locations.
From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the Exhibit and Hands on Hall will be open in Limelight rooms B and C at the Sun Valley Inn.
Tickets for the Sun Valley Wellness Festival are available at Chapter One Bookstore 160 North Main Street in Ketchum or visit sunvalleywellness.org.