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| Shawn Carey |
Each year millions of shorebirds make an amazing
round-trip journey between the Northern and Southern hemisphere. Join us on
September 10 when filmmaker Shawn Carey presents his documentary Epic
Journeys which looks at three shorebird species — Red Knot, Piping Plover and
Semipalmated Sandpiper—and the challenges these species face during each of
their monumental annual treks.
Shawn Carey is a resident of Boston, MA and has been
photographing birds and other wildlife for about 20 years. He’s been teaching
wildlife photography for Mass Audubon for over 12 years.
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| Brian Kleinman |
Taped entirely in Connecticut, Connecticut
Reptiles takes viewers on a video adventure that shows the remarkable variety of
the state’s native snakes, turtles, and lizard, and the natural places they
inhabit. On October 8, naturalist Brian Kleinman will present his film with
incredible insights into each animal’s unique adaptations, lifestyles and place
in local landscapes. He will also bring some live reptiles.
On November 12 naturalists and photographers Barbara and
Peter Rzasa will present Iceland’s Birds, Flowers and Wildlife, a slide show
of several Icelandic flora and fauna that can be found while traveling
Iceland’s 832-mile long Ring Road.
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| Peter Rzasa |
Iceland is often called “The Land of Fire and Ice”
because of the many volcanoes, glaciers and spectacular waterfalls that
populate the country. The country is also a noted birder’s paradise famous for
its population of Atlantic puffins, ptarmigan, arctic terns and other arctic
birds found along Iceland’s 3,700 miles of coast. Reindeer, arctic fox,
humpback whales and seals can frequently be seen while Icelandic horses can be
found roaming the farmlands.
Climate Change is a simple phrase used to describe an
incredibly complex issue. Extensive research has identified changes in weather
patterns and seasonal temperatures that are affecting ecosystems and
communities from our backyards to the entire planet. The effect of climate
change on birds could be significant. Saltmarsh sparrows nest just
above the
high tide line and are already susceptible to spring tides flooding their
nests. What would climate change-caused sea level rise mean to the survival of this species? On
December 10, Heather Crawford will give us a look at the history of the Earth
and human civilization, along with some simple science, so that we can better
understand how we have come to our current situation and what kinds of
decisions will need to be made as we move forward as stewards of our world.
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| Patrick Comins |
Heather is an
environmental educator who spent 14 years working with the Connecticut Sea
Grant Extension Program and presenting programs on coastal ecosystems and land
use impacts on water sources. She now chairs the Madison Conservation
Commission and does freelance environmental education, including leading
ecology field trips for local schools.
