Lonnie Thompson, glaciologist and expert on climate change issues, will be the keynote speaker at the Three Valley Conservation Trust’s 15th Annual Meeting, being held at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Marcum Conference Center, at Miami University, Oxford.

Thompson will not only share stories and visual documentation of global climate change, but will also show how land and stream conservation right here in the Three Valley Conservation Trust area do more than enhance and protect habitats for wildlife and rare plants.

Thompson, a distinguished university professor of earth sciences at The Ohio State University, received the 2007 National Medal of Science for his work providing irrefutable evidence of global climate change.

He has led more than 50 expeditions to ice caps and glaciers on five continents in nearly three decades of research, retrieving ice cores that contain a diary of past climate conditions around the globe, some dating back more than 750,000 years. Thompson and his wife and research partner, geography professor Ellen Mosley Thompson, document that the last 50 years was the warmest period in recorded history, and is contributing to the increased weather severity we currently experience.

There will be recognition of elected officials, and presentation of the third annual Wallace I. Edwards Conservationist award.

The Trust will also honor other conservation stars and retiring Three Valley Conservation Trust Board members Ray Arlinghaus, Margarette Beckwith, Hank Dupps, Mary Moore and Greg Peck, as well as other local heroes and organizational partners.

In addition, one Three Valley Conservation Trust conservation easement donor will share an inspirational story about why they have protected their farms and open space. To date, 86 easement donors have stepped up to forever protect properties covering 10,784 acres of ground with the Three Valley Conservation Trust in the Trust’s watersheds.

The Three Valley Conservation Trust Annual Meeting will summarize its accomplishments and present its plan for the coming year. Music by Anachrorythms will be followed by a Marcum Center-catered meal. Finally, the organization will conduct its election of candidates for the group’s Board of Trustees. Dinner and event are $18 per person. Please call the Trust office at (513) 524-2150 to reserve a place at the table. Reservations must be received by Feb. 8.