Indiana Audubon unveils its 2024 virtual series, “Feathered Focus,” featuring monthly hour-long presentations on bird conservation, education, and research in Indiana and the Midwest. Aligned with Indiana Audubon’s mission, the series showcases knowledgeable speakers covering diverse topics that delve into the intricacies of bird life.
The series features sessions on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., with topics and speakers outlined below:
- January 23: “Migration at Miller Beach: Reporting on the Inaugural Lake Michigan Waterbird Count” by Will Keller, Indiana Audubon’s Fall 2023 Waterbird Counter
- February 13: “Bird Safe Indy: Who We Are and How You Can Help” by Austin Broadwater (Bird Safe Indy Chair, Amos Butler Audubon Society)
- March 12: “The Secret to Attracting Birds: Hint–It’s All About the Plants” by Scott Namestnik (Botanist, Indiana Natural Heritage Data Center, Indiana Department of Natural Resources)
- April 9: “Birds, Plants, and Insects: Natural Communities of Indiana” by Nick Kiehl, an Indiana Audubon member and dedicated naturalist
- May 21: “Indiana DNR Barn Owl Nest Box Program: Housing an Indiana Beauty” by Grace LeCuyer (Raptor Survey Coordinator, Indiana Department of Natural Resources)
- June 11: “Talking with Birds: Understanding Bird Language” by Dan Gardoqui (Owner, Lead with Nature)
- July 9: “From Pencil to Plumage: Birds as Artistic Inspiration” by Alex Warnick, the inaugural artist-in-residence at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute
- August 13: “Why is the American Ornithological Society Changing a Bunch of Bird Names?” by John Dunning, Ph.D. (Professor of Wildlife Ecology, Purdue University)
- September 10: “Secretive Marsh Birds of the Great Lakes: A Regional Effort of Monitoring & Restoration” by Bethany Dennis (Dunes-Calumet Region Secretive Marsh Bird Coordinator, Audubon Great Lakes)
- October 8: “Birds, Butterflies, and Bison: Conservation and Restoration at Kankakee Sands” by Trevor Edmonson (Project Director, The Nature Conservancy)
- November 12: “Northern Hawk Owl Movement and Habitat Use” by Hannah Toutonghi (Graduate Candidate, University of Minnesota Duluth)
- December 10: “Winter Finch Irruptions in the Midwest” by Matt Young (President and Founder, Finch Research Network)
Participants can choose to register for individual sessions or opt for discounted packages at featheredfocus.eventbrite.com. Ticket costs vary for both Indiana Audubon members and non-members. Contact Indiana Audubon with any questions and inquiries at [email protected].
