Kicking off Earth Day 2016 activities, actress Ann Beyke brings to life scientist Rachel Carson through a special Chautauqua performance on Friday, April 22nd from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm in WNMU's Parotti Hall. Admission is free.

This program is brought to the Silver City community by the New Mexico Humanities Council, New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, Western Institute for Lifelong Learning, the Town of Silver City Office of Sustainability, Gila Resources Information Project, Gila Conservation Coalition, and the Silver City Food Co-op.
One of the most influential women in modern history, Rachel Carson was a marine biologist when few women dared even tread the water. Her lifelong love of nature and science led to research on how uncontrolled chemical use devastated wildlife and food sources. Her best-selling book on the topic, Silent Spring, detailed this devastation and led to the eventual ban on the use of the insecticide DDT in the United States. Silent Spring inspired a budding grassroots environmental movement that led to the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1970.

An actor in Albuquerque for nearly 25 years, Ann Beyke has performed in local theater, film, television and radio plays and extensively as a voice-over artist. She has portrayed Beryl Markham, Elizabeth Blackwell, Willa Cather, and Rosie the Riveter.

According to the NM Humanities Council, "an NMHC Chautauqua program brings history to life at your event with a performance by a scholar/performer posing as a historical figure or an expert speaker on an intriguing topic. A lively discussion follows each show."