About the Wege Speaker Series

The origins of who we are and what we do

About the Series

Every spring since 1997, the Wege Foundation has invited scientists, authors and thinkers to present a free public lecture on environmental and social justice issues and their connection to healthy economies and communities. Although the Foundation’s founder Peter M. Wege passed away in 2014, his work lives on. A visionary and leader, Peter believed in planting seeds that develop leaders in health, education, arts and Economicology, a term he coined to connect environmental with economic issues.

About the Foundation

The Wege Foundation’s main focus is Western Michigan, mainly in Grand Rapids. Peter M. Wege, founder of the family foundation, felt strongly about keeping the mission local because it honored the wishes of his father Peter Martin Wege, who created the Foundation’s resources. Peter Martin Wege founded Metal Office Furniture, today’s Steelcase, in 1912. His metal-working genius and entrepreneurial gifts started the company that became the world’s largest producer of office furniture.

Photo Galleries

View photos from our presentations

Speaker Series Resources

Browse information from our presenters

VIDEO: Dept. of Energy Deputy Director for Energy Justice Shalanda Baker | The Sustainability Imperative

Honorable Shalanda H. Baker – Director of the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity at the U.S. Department of Energy

PRESS RELEASE: the Honorable Shalanda H. Baker, Wege Speaker Series 2023

Honorable Shalanda H. Baker – Director of the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity at the U.S. Department of Energy

2023 Resources

Honorable Shalanda H. Baker – Director of the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity at the U.S. Department of Energy

PRESS RELEASE: Dr. Beverly Wright, Wege Speaker Series 2022

Dr. Beverly Wright, advocate, author, civic leader and professor

Women’s History Month Profile: Dr. Beverly Wright

Dr. Beverly Wright, advocate, author, civic leader and professor

2022 Resources

Dr. Beverly Wright, advocate, author, civic leader and professor

Video: The Honorable Harvest – Robin Kimmerer

Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer, renowned author & member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation

2021 Resources

Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer, renowned author & member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation

2020 Resources

Favianna Rodriguez, president of the Center for Cultural Power

Video: Partnership with WMCAT students

Mustafa Santiago Ali, Senior Vice President of Climate, Environmental Justice & Community Revitalization for the Hip Hop Caucus
Mustafa Santiago Ali

Mustafa Santigao Ali: 2019 Presentation

Mustafa Santiago Ali, Senior Vice President of Climate, Environmental Justice & Community Revitalization for the Hip Hop Caucus

Video: Mustafa Santiago Ali, Netroots Nation 2018

Mustafa Santiago Ali, Senior Vice President of Climate, Environmental Justice & Community Revitalization for the Hip Hop Caucus

Video: Mustafa Santiago Ali Interviewed by C2ES President Bob Perciasepe

Mustafa Santiago Ali, Senior Vice President of Climate, Environmental Justice & Community Revitalization for the Hip Hop Caucus

Video: Mustafa Santiago Ali – Still Moving Toward Environmental Justice

Mustafa Santiago Ali, Senior Vice President of Climate, Environmental Justice & Community Revitalization for the Hip Hop Caucus

Video: Mustafa Santiago Ali Speaks at Taking Nature Black

Mustafa Santiago Ali, Senior Vice President of Climate, Environmental Justice & Community Revitalization for the Hip Hop Caucus

2019 Resources

Mustafa Santiago Ali, Senior Vice President of Climate, Environmental Justice & Community Revitalization for the Hip Hop Caucus

J. Drew Lanham: 2018 Presentation

Dr. J. Drew Lanham, ornithologist, conservationist and distinguished professor at Clemson University

2018 Resources

Dr. J. Drew Lanham, ornithologist, conservationist and distinguished professor at Clemson University

Interview: YourDay woodpecker identification

Dr. J. Drew Lanham, ornithologist, conservationist and distinguished professor at Clemson University

Interview: South Carolina ETV radio program “YourDay.”​

Dr. J. Drew Lanham, ornithologist, conservationist and distinguished professor at Clemson University

Interview: Staving Off Confrontation While Watching Birds

Dr. J. Drew Lanham, ornithologist, conservationist and distinguished professor at Clemson University

Video: Terry Allen and Dr. Drew Lanham introduce the IdentiFlyer Lyric

Dr. J. Drew Lanham, ornithologist, conservationist and distinguished professor at Clemson University

Video; Dr. Lanham identifies birds by listening to their songs

Dr. J. Drew Lanham, ornithologist, conservationist and distinguished professor at Clemson University

Video: Dr. Lanham takes aspiring birdwatchers out to Assateague Island and Ocean City, Maryland

Dr. J. Drew Lanham, ornithologist, conservationist and distinguished professor at Clemson University

Video: “Environmental Education & Social Movements” Keynote Panel at NAAEE 2015 in San Diego, California

Dr. J. Drew Lanham, ornithologist, conservationist and distinguished professor at Clemson University

Video: Rules for the Black Birdwatcher

Dr. J. Drew Lanham, ornithologist, conservationist and distinguished professor at Clemson University

Video: The Home Place Preview

Dr. J. Drew Lanham, ornithologist, conservationist and distinguished professor at Clemson University

Web Links: Dr. J. Drew Lanham

Dr. J. Drew Lanham, ornithologist, conservationist and distinguished professor at Clemson University

Interview: Conservation Movement: Race, Power & Privilege

Dorceta E. Taylor Ph.D., Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, University of Michigan School of Natural Resources & Environment

Crystal Lameman: 2016 Presentation

Crystal Lameman, Intergovernmental Affairs Spokeswoman for the Beaver Lake Cree Nation, Alberta, Canada

Edward Mazria: 2015 Presentation

Edward Mazria, Architect and Founder of Architecture 2030

Tom Kiernan: 2014 Presentation

Tom Kiernan, CEO, American Wind Energy Association

Marie Lynn Miranda: 2013 Presentation

Dr. Marie Lynn Miranda, Dean, University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment

Dan Janzen: 2012 Presentation

Dr. Dan Janzen, Conservation Biologist, Area de Conservacion Guanacaste – Costa Rica

Chris Palmer: 2011 Presentation

Chris Palmer, Environmentalist and Wildlife Filmmaker, School of Communication, American University

Sylvia Earle: 2010 Presentation

Dr. Sylvia Earle, Marine Scientist; Explorer-in-Residence, National Geographic Society

Thomas Lovejoy: 2009 Presentation

Dr. Thomas Lovejoy, Biodiversity Chair, Heinz Center for Science, Economics, and the Environment, Washington, D.C.

Denis Hayes: 2007 Presentation

Denis Hayes, President and CEO, Bullitt Foundation, Seattle

Gus Speth: 2006 Presentation

Gus Speth, Dean, Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies

Founding Partners

2022 Partners

City of Grand Rapids
Michigan Black Expo

 

U.S. Green Building Council of West Michigan
Urban Core Collective