D Holmes
The Everglades: Before and After
Presenter Tom Tyning is an environmental scientist, a teacher, a birder, and a herpetologist. Join him as he describes the Everglades’ remarkable mix of physical and biological aspects, making it a unique ecology on earth. Major efforts are now underway to restore the natural flow and quality of water to Everglades National Park, where a remarkable mix of subtropical organisms exists. Tom will briefly describe the history and ecological importance of this enormous “river of grass.” Then, he’ll talk about birds and more birds, as well as reptiles, insects, wildflowers, and the area’s other amazing natural wonders.
Understanding Barriers: Bringing People to Conservation
As a PhD candidate at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Sebastian Moreno studies avian and urban ecology and the human dimensions of wildlife, focusing on environmental and social justice. Sebastian will share his relationship with nature and the barriers he faced growing up. Through his personal connection, Sebastian will discuss the importance of engaging the public in scientific work while acknowledging biases that currently exist in citizen science. He will also highlight efforts by various organizations that create welcoming and safe spaces for historically marginalized groups to enjoy the outdoors and actively engage with nature.
Members’ Night
Join us for our traditional, year-end celebration of our wonderful members! We’ll hear mini presentations from four Allen Bird Club members who will take us with them (virtually) on their enviable adventures. Presenters will be:
Lois Richardson with Birds of the Pantanal of Brazil
Bill Platenik with Pelagic Voyage: Russia to Alaska
George Kingston with Dauphin Island, Alabama
Deborah Shea with Allen Bird Club Archives
The evening will end with socializing, snacks, birding tales, and best wishes to all for a prosperous new year.
Birds and Wildlife of Kenya
Bill Gette, founder and former director of Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport, MA, has over 30 years’ experience leading local, domestic, and international trips focused on birds and wildlife. In this presentation, let Bill lead you on a virtual expedition through three of Kenya's most outstanding wildlife areas: Samburu Nature Reserve, Nakura Lake in the Rift Valley, and the expansive Masai Mara in the south. Bill's wonderful photos and wealth of knowledge will illustrate for you Kirk's Didkiks (tiny antelopes the size of small dogs), Gerenuks (animals that seem to be half giraffe and half antelope), Kori Bustards (the world's heaviest flying bird), Greater and Lesser Flamingos, and other awe-inspiring animals.
Creating Habitat Highways for Migratory Birds in Urban Green Spaces
Dr. Desiree Narango is a conservation scientist with the VT Center for Ecostudies and a former research fellow at UMass Amherst. She studies the complex interactions of birds, insects, and plants in human-dominated environments like cities and suburbs to understand and communicate effective strategies for preserving biodiversity. In this talk, she will bring insight into the stopover ecology of migratory birds she studied in urban and rural forests throughout the Springfield, MA metropolitan area.
Peregrine Falcon Recovery and Conservation in Massachusetts
The Peregrine Falcon is one of the Bay State’s true conservation success stories. Learn about the decline, recovery, and stewardship of this magnificent raptor as Wildlife Biologist David Paulson describes how the conservation and continued monitoring of this species would not be possible without the general public, birders, photographers, landowners, and property managers alike. David has been involved with the conservation and recovery of this species for nearly 15 years. During his presentation, you will learn more about the recovery and ongoing conservation efforts associated with the Peregrine Falcon and ways to get involved.
Life at Woodland Ponds
As the natural world progresses season by season, there are mysteries and relationships that can be seen by a keen observer who takes the time to sit, wait, and watch the scene unfold. For four years, presenter Bill Platenik has been visiting woodland ponds near his Brimfield home to do just that: watch the world drift slowly by at the ponds. While Bill's main interest has been observing Osprey and Great Blue Herons raise their families, there are numerous bird species and other wildlife he has seen as well. This photographic presentation tells the story of three Hampden County ponds where Bill has leisurely viewed birds and other wildlife for the joy and insight they bring.
Birding Across the CT Border
As a child, Dan Burt fell in love with birding while exploring Massachusetts’s colonial roads with binoculars over his shoulder and his father by his side. Now living in Connecticut after a career that led him all over the world, Dan welcomes his Massachusetts birding friends to explore his favorite birding hotspots “south of the border.” Audience members will appreciate Dan’s keen organization and teaching skills as he presents maps, travel times, tips, species, and highlights. With Dan’s advice, the only planning you’ll have to do is deciding what to pack for lunch.
Allen Bird Club
P.O. Box 1084
Springfield, MA 01101
Email: info@allenbirdclub.org
