Norwich— Former Vermont Gov. Madeleine Kunin and Liz Putnam, founding president of the Student Conservation Association, are scheduled to speak at the Montshire Museum on Nov. 9, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

The event is the kickoff to the “Women in Conservation” series presented by the Student Conservation Association and the Upper Valley Sierra Club Group to highlight environmental stewardship and leadership by Vermont women.

Kunin is the founder and chairwoman of the Institute for Sustainable Communities, a Montpelier-based nonprofit that works to help communities around the world address environmental, economic and social challenges. In addition to her time as governor, Kunin served as ambassador to Switzerland and taught at the University of Vermont.

Putnam, who lives in Shaftsbury, Vt., founded the Student Conservation Association in 1957. Since then more than 85,000 young people have served with the association promoting conservation goals around the country. Putnam received the Presidential Citizens Medal, one of the nation’s highest civilian honors.

Kunin and Putnam “are powerful, visionary figures who have helped shape our two states, our world, and our future,” Michael Hillinger, chair of the Sierra Club’s Upper Valley Group, said in a news release. “Through the ‘Women in Conservation’ series, the sponsors hope to inform and inspire others to work for a more resilient and sustainable planet through the remarkable personal stories of these women.”

The series is free and open to the public, although attendees are asked to pre-register for the event at www.thesca.org/wic.