Learn how native peoples keep oil companies out of rain forest

Oil companies regularly make headlines in today's news regarding their environmental devastation in the U.S. But what kind of effects are these multibillion dollar corporations having in other parts of the world?

Larry Lansburgh, a film producer and director, will address the forces behind these corporations and how those forces are driving environmental destruction in the Amazon in two workshops at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 27, at McHenry County College, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake.

In Lansburgh's afternoon presentation, "David & Goliath in the Amazon: How a Small Indigenous Group Triumphed Over Big Oil," describes how the Achuar, an indigenous group in the Amazon, has protected their territory from the industrialized world. The evening presentation, "Changing the World: Two Tactics that Make Environmental Activism Work," reveals two principal tactics used by indigenous groups to counter the money and power of multinational corporations - and win.

Lansburgh is an Academy Award-nominee and Emmy award-winning documentary filmmaker and producer. He filmed a documentary titled "Dream People of the Amazon."

The presentations begin at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. respectively and run 90 minutes each. Continuing Professional Development Units will be available for teachers at the evening program. Admission is free. No advance registration is required. For more information, call Amy Carzoli at (815) 455-8764 or Kristine Emrich at (815) 479-7570 or e-mail mccconferencecenter@mchenry.edu.