MUNCIE, Ind. - Best-selling author and world traveler Peter Jenkins, keynote speaker for Earth Week 2003, will share his insights and stories at 7 p.m., April 14 at Ball State University's Student Center Ballroom.

Twenty years ago, Jenkins and his dog set out on foot to journey across America with the idea to seek the "real America." The book that followed, "The Walk Across America," was a best-seller for over two decades. The sequel, "The Walk West," landed the No. 3 spot on The New York Times Best-Sellers List. CNN's Larry King referred to Jenkins as "one of America's greatest storytellers."

His book "Looking for Alaska" received several honors including the Top 10 Literary Travel Book of the Year by Book List. It was included as one of Barnes and Noble's Best Books of 2001 and is noted by many as one of the best books ever written about Alaska. Jenkins' presentation will include visual media.

Earth Week 2003 is a week-long focus on the earth and environment sponsored by the Natural Resources Club and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management. Activities include:

• Celebrate eARTh features artwork with an environmental theme by Ball State students and will run daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. through April 22. The artwork is located in the former bookstore across from the hotel desk at the L. A. Pittenger Student Center.
• Keynote speaker Peter Jenkins, 7 to 9 p.m., April 14, Student Center Ballroom.
• Earth Aid Concert, 6 p.m. until midnight, April 15, Noyer Bowl, located between the Noyer residence hall and the College of Business. Free activities including live music, environmental information booths, food, and a man-made climbing wall.
• Keynote lecturer Na'Taki Osborne, 7 to 9 p.m., April 17, Minnetrista Cultural Center. She will discuss her work on a watershed initiative addressing water quality issues of the Chattahoochee River that impacted Atlanta's west side. Sponsored by the Sustainable Communities Organizer for the National Wildlife Federation's Atlanta Office.
• Celebrate eARTh Opening Reception, 4 to 7 p.m., April 18, in the area formerly housing the bookstore in the Student Center.
• Project Wild Workshop, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 19, University Green, the area between the College of Architecture and Planning and Bracken Library. This is one of the most widely-used conservation and environmental education programs among primary and secondary educators, and will emphasize the importance of wildlife as a basis for teaching how ecosystems function. Registration is required and limited to the first 25 participants. Those interested may register online at www.bsu.edu/earthweek/wild or call (765) 285-5780.
• Earth Day Festival, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., April 22, University Green. Local businesses, organizations, and government agencies will inform attendees how they can help make a difference.

For more information on Peter Jenkins, visit www.peterjenkins.com or for information about Earth Week, visit www.bsu.edu/nrem/earthweek.

(Editor's Note:  For more information on this story contact Nat Baker at (317) 796-0283 or www.bsu.edu/earthweek. For more stories, visit the Ball State University News Center at www.bsu.edu/news on the World Wide Web.)