Skidaway Audubon News: Audubon Speaker Series Schedule

Some of the coastal region’s fascinating wildlife, including coyotes, whales, and oyster catchers will be featured in the coming months as Skidaway Audubon’s spring speaker series gets underway.  

On Thursday, March 16, attendees will learn about the research being done on St. Catherine’s Island by the Atlanta Coyote Project. Dr. Chris Mowry, founder of the project, will be the guest speaker, appearing virtually at Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church on Skidaway Island from 4 to 5 p.m.  Dr. Mowry is Associate Professor of Biology at Berry College, outside of Atlanta.  He served on the Science Advisory Council of the Yellowstone Ecological Research Center and was a lead investigator on the 20-year Canid Ecology Project in Yellowstone National Park from 1990 to 2010.

On Thursday, April 20, Karen Dreger of the University of Georgia’s Skidaway Institute of Oceanography will speak on the use of underwater gliders to detect the presence of the endangered right whales off the Georgia coast. Gliders are outfitted with sound sensors and can collect other types of scientific data as well. Dreger’s presentation is scheduled from 4 to 5 p.m. at St. Peter’s Church.

On Thursday, May 11, Allie Hayser of the Georgia Bight Shorebird Conservation Initiative will provide an overview of coastal issues including the status of the American oystercatcher and other at-risk shorebirds. Hayser previously worked with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources on other shorebird projects. She will speak from 4 to 5 p.m. at Saint Peter’s Church.

All three presentations are part of Skidaway Audubon’s speakers series. Admission to each event is free for Friends of Skidaway Audubon and $5 for guests. Donations are always welcome. To learn how to help support all of Audubon’s educational and environmental initiatives on Skidaway, visit www.skidawayaudubon.org and become a supporter for just $10 a month. To learn more about Audubon programs and events, visit www.skidawayaudubon.org and click "News/Events".