http://www.sfvaudubon.org/">San Fernando Valley Audubon Society

Friday, March 5, 2010, Airtel Plaza Hotel, 6:00 p.m.

Featured speaker:
Richard W. Halsey

Richard W. Halsey is the director of the California Chaparral Institute, a non-profit research and educational organization focusing on the ecology of California’s shrubland plant communities, wildland fire, and how Mediterranean-type ecosystems have helped shape human culture. He has given more than 300 presentations over the past five years concerning chaparral ecology, how communities can adapt to fire-prone environments, and the importance of nature education. Mr. Halsey also provides living history performances focusing on the Middle East in the 1100s and California in the 1800s. He taught biology for over thirty years in both public and private schools and was honored as Teacher of the Year for San Diego City Schools in 1991.

Mr. Halsey also works with the San Diego Museum of Natural History, publishes The Chaparralian, a journal focusing on chaparral and wildfire issues, and continues to teach natural history throughout the state.

Mr. Halsey earned undergraduate degrees from the University of California in environmental studies and anthropology. During graduate work he received teaching credentials in life, physical and social science and a masters in education. He has also been trained as a Type II wildland firefighter. The second edition of his book, Fire, Chaparral, and Survival in Southern California, was awarded the 2008 Best Nonfiction-Local Interest Book by the San Diego Book Awards Association.

A registration form is included in the January issue of the Phainopepla on page 8, and is also available online. Reservations due by February 26, 2010.

Encino Community Center, 4935 Balboa Blvd., Encino. Located between Moorpark and Ventura Blvd., on the west side of Balboa, just south of the Presbyterian Church. Come early for social hour.

Guy Commeau, naturalist, world traveler, photographer, LA Zoo volunteer will once again present a program of his latest travels and adventures. An excellent photographer with an artistic bent, he will entertain us with his exciting adventures and photographs. Please see the Calendar Section for directions.

NOTE: In lieu of the regular November and December General Membership meetings, there will be a single meeting on Thursday, December 3 at 7 PM at the Encino Community Center.

Encino Community Center, 4935 Balboa Blvd., Encino.  Located between Moorpark and Ventura Blvd., on the west side of Balboa, just south of the Presbyterian Church.  Come early for social hour.

Our speaker will be Dave Weeshoff who will speak on Svalbard – Land of Polar Bears, Walruses and Birds.

Svalbard is an archipelago in the Arctic Ocean north of mainland Europe, about midway between mainland Norway and the North Pole. The archipelago is the northernmost part of Norway. Dave will present us with a photographic journey of his trip to the Arctic complete with fascinating descriptions and anecdotes of a land seldom seen.

Encino Community Center, 4935 Balboa Blvd., Encino.  Located between Moorpark and Ventura Blvd., on the west side of Balboa, just south of the Presbyterian Church.  Come early for social hour.

Our speaker will be Dave Weeshoff who will speak on Svalbard – Land of Polar Bears, Walruses and Birds.

Svalbard is an archipelago in the Arctic Ocean north of mainland Europe, about midway between mainland Norway and the North Pole. The archipelago is the northernmost part of Norway. Dave will present us with a photographic journey of his trip to the Arctic complete with fascinating descriptions and anecdotes of a land seldom seen.

Note: There will be no meeting on December 24, due to the Christmas holiday.

Everyone welcome.

Encino Community Center, 4935 Balboa Blvd., Encino. Located between Moorpark and Ventura Blvd., on the west side of Balboa, just south of the Presbyterian Church.

Come early for social hour.

TOPIC: Olga Clarke will present the birds and wildlife of Cabo San Lucas

No stranger to San Fernando Valley Audubon members, Olga Clarke will share with us her love of nature, especially birds. A world traveler and accomplished photographer, Olga receives requests for pictures from publications all over the world. Olga has organized and led natural history tours to Central and South America, Africa, India, Borneo and Southeast Asia, Australia, Hawaii, and Alaska. With her late husband, Herb, they served as guest lecturers on cruise ships, even going to Antarctica.