CROW Speaker Series explores environmental issues, species profiles
The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife recently announced its 2019 Speaker Series schedule, which runs from Dec. 31 through April 16 and covers topics ranging from species specific programs to grassroots conservation initiatives to water quality on Sanibel.
Wildlife is the focus of the programs, featuring species specific programs about burrowing owls, eastern indigo snakes, Florida box turtles, mollusks, butterflies and more. The ever-popular program “The Story of Ospreys” will be offered four times and kicks it off with the first one on Dec. 31.
Grassroots conservation initiatives have the potential to effect positive change around the world. On Jan. 15, Dr. J. Bruce Neill will discuss some successful grassroots environmental projects, including Coastal Keepers’ Bring Your Own Bag and Strawless on Sanibel initiatives.
A few programs will focus on water quality, including “Sanibel Communities for Clean Water” on Jan. 29 presented by Dana Dettmar, an environmental specialist for the city of Sanibel. The program recommends Best Management Practices to improve water quality with the goal that residents and visitors will adopt the voluntary, environmentally-friendly measures to improve the health of local lakes.
All programs begin at 4:15 p.m. in the CROW Visitor Education Center and are approximately one hour in length. Some programs will feature live animal encounters.
Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for ages 13-17, and free for children age 12 and under.
Space is limited, so advanced registration is highly recommended.
The 2019 Speaker Series Schedule is as follows:
– Dec. 31: “The Story of Ospreys” by Claudia Burns, International Osprey Foundation volunteer
– Jan. 7: “Eastern Indigo Snake Project” by Chris Lechowicz, director of habitat management and herpetologist for Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation*
– Jan. 15: “Grassroots Conservation Initiatives, Small Efforts That Can Get Big” by Dr. J. Bruce Neill, co-founder and executive director for Sanibel Sea School
– Jan. 22: “Living with Burrowing Owls” by Beverly Saltonstall, Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife volunteer
– Jan. 29: “Sanibel Communities for Clean Water” by Dana Dettmar, environmental specialist for the city of Sanibel
– Feb. 5: “Introduction to Wildlife Photography” by Kim Patmore, photographer and CROW supporter*
– Feb. 11: “Butterflies of Southwest Florida” by Dr. Pam Jones-Morton, Florida State Parks volunteer
– Feb. 19: “The Story of Ospreys” by Claudia Burns, International Osprey Foundation volunteer
– Feb. 26: “Water Quality Issues – Challenges and Solutions” by Dr. J. Bruce Neill, Ph.D., co-founder and executive director for Sanibel Sea School
– March 5: “Wintering Shorebirds of Sanibel and Captiva” by Audrey Albrecht, Shorebird Program coordinator for Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation
– March 11: “Florida Box Turtle Habitat Preference & Home Range on Sanibel Island” by Chris Lechowicz, director of habitat management and herpetologist for Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation*
– March 19: “The Story of Ospreys” by Claudia Burns, International Osprey Foundation volunteer
– March 25: “Mollusks of Southwest Florida” by Leigh Gay, education coordinator for the Bailey Matthews National Shell Museum*
– April 1: “Paradise Lost: Impacts of Red Tide on Sanibel” by Dr. Heather W. Barron, medical and research director for CROW
– April 9: “Gopher Tortoises: Protecting a Keystone Species” by Joel Caouette, conservation officer for the city of Sanibel
– April 16: “The Story of Ospreys” by Claudia Burns, International Osprey Foundation volunteer
*program will have live animal encounters
For more information or to register in advance, visit www.crowclinic.org/articles/2019-speaker-series-schedule.