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Celebrating and Continuing Dick Cooley’s Legacy

Save the Date!

February 21-23, 2025 at UC Santa Cruz

You are invited to a special event honoring Professor and Environmental Studies founder Richard (Dick) Cooley, to be held at UC Santa Cruz February 21-23, 2025. (Note: This is a date change from the previous one in October.)

If you are a former student of Dick’s, if you ventured to Alaska as his student or colleague, or if you just want to join us for a celebration of what he gave to so many -please come.

This celebration will coincide with the Annual Symposium of the Kenneth S Norris Center for Natural History. You probably know that Dick and Ken were friends and colleagues, both playing seminal roles in national and international conservation while teaching a range of courses in environmental studies and conservation science. UCSC’s natural history museum was named for Ken and is funded by an endowment in his name.

In addition to saving the date, please spread the word to fellow alumni of Dick’s classes and work in Alaska. Please forward this message to those who want to know about this special celebration.

Events during the weekend of February 21-23, 2025 include:

  • Friday afternoon and evening: Connecting/reconnecting with students and friends of Dick Cooley, sharing stories and discussing Alaska conservation past, present and future. A social gathering and dinner will be held at the Hay Barn on the UCSC campus.
  • Saturday: Annual Symposium of the Norris Center, with panel discussions highlighting how the life’s work of Ken and Dick can support and inform current students.
  • Sunday: (Optional) natural history field trips, birding, etc., weather permitting.
Next Steps
  • Mark your calendar and plan on joining us in February.
  • Help make this event a success by passing this invitation on to any who might want to join us.
  • Complete the short survey below to let us know if you're interested in joining us back on campus in February, and if you're interested in getting involved in the planning-- many hands make for light work!
  • Volunteer Interest Form