Hi folks,
A couple great opportunities to learn about birds, birding and conservation in
Guatemala on Wednesday evening. Guatemala is less frequently birded than other
Central American countries but is rich in diversity with over 730 species.
At 7:00 pm on Wednesday, September 19th, Dave Youker will speak at Williamsburg
Bird Club meeting held in the Integrated Science Center, room 1127, 605
Jamestown Road, Williamsburg. His topic is a fascinating one–Virginia Society
of Ornithology (VSO) Birding in Guatemala. Dave will be telling us about be
the many wonderful birds seen throughout the various habitats of Guatemala.
He’ll also be covering the great work being done by Community Cloud Forest
Conservation (CCFC) in the areas of conservation and education that are leading
to improved societal changes within the country. Please come join us for a
fascinating and interesting evening.
Also on Wednesday evening, September 19th, the Northern Virginia Bird Club Rob
Cahill of Community Cloud Forest Conservation will introduce us to the birds of
Guatemala with a special focus on regional endemic species. Rob will also share
information about community-based conservation projects that both help at-risk
communities and preserve and restore habitat for birds. His organization,
Community Cloud Forest Conservation (CCFC), believes that holistic human and
community development through education and capacity building is the key to
conservation and development in Guatemala’s central highlands. CCFC instructs
students in grades one through nine in their “Kids and Birds” environmental
education program. Rob and his wife Tara went to Guatemala in 2001 and have
specialized in environmental education and agroecology in the Q’eqchi’ Maya
context. Rob and his son John Cahill are the eBird editors for the country of
Guatemala. The Cahills have led Virginia Society of Ornithology birding trips
in Guatemala for the last 3 years.
The meeting is held at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 4000 Lorcom Lane,
Arlington, VA, 22207 at 8:00 pm Directions can be found in the Siskin and on
our web page at www.nvabc.org<http://www.nvabc.org/>.
Early bird refreshments start at 7:30. Any contributions of food or beverage
will be most gratefully received. There will be a drawing for door prizes.
Northern Virginia Bird Club pins will be available for members who would like
to buy them ($5 each).
David Farner
Vice President, Programs, Northern Virginia Bird Club
Arlington, Virginia
