CSU Professor Joel Berger heading to Everest base camp for world’s highest climate conference

Colorado State University Professor Joel Berger has traveled around the globe studying species in the Arctic, Bhutan, Mongolia and Namibia. Now, the renowned wildlife conservation biologist is heading near the world's highest point.

Berger - the Barbara Cox Anthony University Chair in Wildlife Conservation at Colorado State University's Warner College of Natural Resources - is traveling to Nepal's Mount Everest base camp for the Global Warming International Seminar, billed as the "World's Highest Climate Summit."

Scheduled for May 29, the date holds significance as it marks the 69th anniversary of when Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first people to summit Everest. This year also marks the 75th anniversary of U.S.-Nepal diplomatic relations.

"It's an amazing honor," Berger said. "I'm excited. As one of only two invitees representing not only Colorado but the United States, I'm honored."

He will be joined by University of Colorado Boulder professor Joanna E. Lambert as the sole Americans invited to the conference. Lambert's career has focused the evolution, ecology and conservation of wild animals. Berger said the selections are notable as both are from the highest U.S. state in mean elevation.

Berger and Lambert are leaving Colorado on May 15, flying from Denver to Los Angeles to Doha, Qatar, to Kathmandu, Nepal, and finally to Lukla Airport, considered the most dangerous airport in the world. They will then make a 30-mile trek over several days to Everest base camp at 17,598 feet.

"Joel Berger's inclusion in this historic summit is a reflection of his dedication to wildlife and conservation throughout his life and outstanding career," said John P. Hayes, dean of the Warner College of Natural Resources. "As one of only two Americans in attendance, we're confident that Joel will be taking with him our vision for a more sustainable future, and we are proud to have CSU, Colorado and the U.S. represented by a passionate and visionary researcher like Joel."

During the conference, Berger will lead a presentation on Nepal's legacy on biodiversity, focusing on snow leopards and wild yaks. He also will touch on the American Everest expeditions as well as the loss of glaciers and the consequences of global warming on biodiversity.

"As a wildlife biologist, I look through the eyes of animals and what it is we might need to do to do better for them," said Berger, who joined CSU in 2015.

In his career, Berger has established himself as one of the world's preeminent field biologists.

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