09/21/99

Editors: A photo of Doug Peacock is available at: http://cscwww.cats.ohiou.edu/news/pix/PEACOCK.JPG

ATHENS, Ohio -- Wilderness advocate Doug Peacock will give a public lecture, "Fear at the Mouth of the Cave: the need for Organic Danger in the 21st Century," at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 26, in Irvine Auditorium. Immortalized in Edward Abbey's fictional portrayal of him as Hayduke in The Monkey Wrench Gang, Peacock is an outspoken wilderness advocate and renowned specialist on grizzly bears.

Following his tour of duty as a Green Beret medic in Vietnam, Peacock spent several years in Wyoming and Montana studying grizzly bears. Peacock has written numerous articles on grizzly bears for publications such as the "Backpacker Journal" and the "Pacific Discovery Journal." Peacock wrote the critically acclaimed book "Grizzly Years: In Search of the American Wilderness".

Peacock will speak on the importance of wild places, according to Assistant Dean of University College Ted Bernard.

"His speech will focus on respect for nature and how important the wilderness is to our own lives," Bernard said.

Later in the week, the Peacock will lecture new students as part of the Freshmen Year Enrichment program.

There will be a reception following the speech in Irvine Auditorium foyer with free refreshments.