Scott Wait, senior terrestrial biologist for the southwest region of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, will make a presentation at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, at the lyceum at the Center for Southwest Studies on the Fort Lewis College campus.

“Wilderness is incredibly important for wildlife populations,” Wait said. “It provides a significant refuge and allows animals to live with a minimal amount of human disturbance.”

Colorado’s southwest corner holds the largest concentration of wilderness areas in the state. These areas include: Weminuche, Lizard Head, South San Juan, Sangre de Cristo, Fossil Ridge, Uncompahgre, Raggeds, La Garita, Powderhorn, West Elk, and Escalante-Dominguez Canyon.

Wait has worked for more than 30 years as a wildlife biologist in Colorado. Originally from Missouri, he earned his undergraduate degree in wildlife biology from the University of Wyoming in 1980.