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Appalachian’s Sustainable Development Department to Host Speaker, Jeff Biggers

The Goodnight Family Department of Sustainable Development at Appalachian State University welcomes author, performer and educator Jeff Biggers at 7 p.m. Feb. 17 as he presents his multimedia theatrical piece “An Evening at the Ecopolis: Envisioning a Regenerative City.” Biggers, a writer-in-residence at the University of Iowa’s Office of Sustainability, will be joined by local musician and Appalachian alumna Alexa Rose ’15. This free performance will be held in Grandfather Mountain Ballroom in the Plemmons Student Union and is open to the public!

Biggers is the author of six books including “The United States of Appalachia,” and a recipient of the David Brower Award for Environmental Reporting. He is also the founder of the Climate Narrative Project, which is designed to reach across academic disciplines and chronicle climate solutions and regenerative approaches to energy, food, agriculture, water and waste management, community planning and transportation. His selection of lectures, readings, workshops and performances have led him to hundreds of university and colleges.

Singer-songwriter Rose graduated from Appalachian’s Goodnight Family Department of Sustainable Development and enjoys performing her Appalachian folk-infused Americana music throughout the region. She recently released “Low and Lonesome,” her sophomore album of 10 original songs where she performs vocals, acoustic and electric guitar.

Laura England, a lecturer in sustainable development, invited Biggers to campus after participating in one of his Baltimore workshops last fall.

“We’re really excited for Jeff and Alexa to collaborate on ‘Ecopolis,’” England said. “The performance promises to be thought-provoking, inspiring and fun. At its heart, Biggers’ work is about justice and community-building, which we need now more than ever.”

“An Evening at the Ecopolis: Envisioning a Regenerative City” is coordinated and sponsored by the Goodnight Family Department of Sustainable Development with support from the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Office of Sustainability, the Center for Appalachian Studies, the Department of Theatre and Dance, the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership, the Department of English, the Department of Anthropology and the Humanities Council. To learn more, visit http://faa.appstate.edu/events.