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of the most respected microeconomists in the nation, Niskanen served four years at the Council of Economic Advisors, directed economics at the Ford Motor Company, and was assistant director of the Office of Management and Budget.

Dr. Niskanen received an A.B. from Harvard College and an M.A. and Ph.D. in economics from the University of Chicago. He taught economics at the University of California at Berkeley and at U.C.L.A.

SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 1995 (EARTH DAY)

8:00 am    Welcome and Remarks: Takings and Cost Distribution
I. Michael Heyman
Secretary, Smithsonian Institution

A series of topic-oriented sessions follows, each combining brief presentations by noted panel members followed by discussion among conference participants and speakers. Dr. Thomas E. Lovejoy, Counselor to the Secretary for Biodiversity and Environmental Affairs, moderates the day's proceedings.

8:20 am    Panel I: Biodiversity Overview: The Facts of Life

Bringing precision to the now widely used term "biodiversity," this session provides updates on exactly what biodiversity is, what we know about it, and what we do not know about it. Included in the overview are historical perspectives on moments of biodiversity crisis, current extinction rates, and ecosystem function.

Scott Wing
Smithsonian Institution

Harold A. Mooney
Stanford University

Daniel Simberloff
Florida State University

9:15 am    Panel II: Economic Opportunities in Biodiversity

While often framed as an obstacle to economic development, biodiversity is now opening up significant new economic opportunities within existing and emerging industries. This session, led by representatives of business, science, and academia, examines how biodiversity is building economic value in chemical, agricultural, technology, recreation, pharmaceutical, and service industries, as well as in non-market sectors.

Thomas Eisner
Cornell University