(Grand Rapids, Michigan) - The Wege Foundation announced today that Chris Palmer, internationally honored environmental film producer, will deliver the 15th annual Wege Speaker Series lecture at Aquinas College’s Performing Arts Center on April 15.

Over the past 25 years, Palmer’s filming adventures include coming face-to-face with Kodiak bears, sharks, whales, and wolf packs. Audiences who have heard Chris Palmer use words like “incredibly entertaining,” “dynamic,” “funny,” and say he’s so engaging they don’t want his talks to end. Palmer’s British accent – he came to the U.S. in 1972 – adds an elegance to his free-wheeling speaking style.

Chris Palmer’s screen credits include producing environmental films for prime-time television, including the Disney Channel, TBS Superstation, Animal Planet, Home and Garden Television, The Travel Channel, The Outdoor Life Network, and PBS.

In 2004 he joined American University (AU) as Distinguished Film Producer in Residence and where he is now a full-time faculty member. Recognizing the power of film to teach and motivate students, Chris Palmer founded and now directs AU’s Center for Environmental Filmmaking in the School of Communication. Palmer has used his connections in the movie industry to bring world-class filmmakers to AU’s campus to teach and mentor students.

Guests are also invited to stay for refreshments and appetizers in the lobby after Chris Palmer’s talk. He will sign copies of his controversial new book that covers some of his experiences filming wildlife titled, Shooting in the Wild: An Insider’s Account of
Making Movies in the Animal Kingdom. Palmer’s 4 p.m. presentation, including clips of some of his celebrated wildlife films, is free and open to the public.

In 1997, Notre Dame’s legendary Father Hesburgh gave Aquinas’s first annual Wege Lecture. Every spring since The Wege Foundation invites a renowned environmentalist to present a free public lecture. For more information visit, www.wegefoundation.com.