SPANISH FORT, Ala. — Native Alabamian and renown scientist and two-time Pulitzer Prize winning author E.O. Wilson will be honored at a public reception at Blakeley State Park April 15.

The Harvard University research professor emeritus who grew up in Mobile is an internationally known naturalist, environmentalist, ecologist and entomologist often identified with his studies of ants and as the “father of biodiversity.” He is the author of more than 20 books including “On Human Nature and The Ants,” for which he won Pulitzer Prizes.

He may be best known for his memoir, Naturalist, in which, among other material, he chronicles his childhood along the Gulf Coast where his early interest in science began and ripened.

The April 15 reception at Blakeley Park is part of Dr. Wilson’s activities when he comes to the Gulf Coast area in connection with the release of Anthill, his first published effort at writing fiction.

 The trip to Alabama is coordinated locally by Sue Brannan Walker of the University of South Alabama where Dr. Wilson will present the Phi Kappa Phi Lecture at 6 p.m. April 14 at USA’s Health Sciences Building Auditorium.

“The Blakeley reception is for the purpose of honoring this outstanding Alabamian and allowing the scientific community and the general public an opportunity to meet him personally”, said Jo Ann Flirt, park director, in announcing the event.

Both the reception and admission to Blakeley Park will be free to the public during the hours of the event.

Autographed copies of Dr. Wilson’s “Anthill,” published by W.W. Norton Co., as well as other major works of his will be available at Blakeley Park through Page & Palette Bookstore immediately following the reception.

Both the reception and the book signing to follow will be held at the Gatra Wehle Nature Center located inside the park.

Dr. Wilson has been hailed by various organizations as one of the world’s 100 leading environmentalists and 100 leading intellectuals. Time magazine in 1995 listed him as one of the 25 most influential Americans. He has received more than 100 international awards and prizes.

While living in Mobile, the budding young naturalist explored the nearby wild lands including the vast delta created by the Tensaw River on the east and the Mobile River on the west. Located on the Tensaw River, Blakeley Park was created by the state of Alabama in 1981 to preserve historic and natural resources on the unique site north of Spanish Fort.

Page & Palette, which is holding the booksigning following the Blakeley reception, is a Fairhope bookstore noted for its presentation of current authors of fiction and non-fiction both in its store and off-site.