ORAS December Meeting Features Talks by Students from UGA Lilly Branch Audubon Chapter

Student’s from the new Lilly Branch Audubon Society campus chapter will discuss the formation of the chapter at UGA and other topics in ornithology when the Oconee Rivers Audubon Society holds its next meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, December 5th, at Sandy Creek Nature Center.

 

The meeting will kick off with Emma Dickinson, discussing the formation of the Lilly Branch campus chapter, past and upcoming events, and future goals for the chapter. Kai Stewart, recipient of an ORAS conservation grant, will be speaking about the grant-funded pollinator garden installed at Malcolm Bridge Elementary School and the accompanying lecture series given to the students. Patrick Maurice will take us to the South Pacific, to talk about his experience with this UGA Discover Abroad Program and Lauren Ward will bring us to Europe, in her talk about the establishment and growth of feral Monk Parakeet populations in urban centers. Our final student speaker, Doreen Chaussadas, will discuss the fascinating Purple-crowned Fairywren and this bird’s unique social system. Our very own Eugenia Thompson will round things out with a plug for the upcoming Christmas Bird Count and how you can get involved!

 

The meeting will be held in the Nature Center’s Education and Visitor Center, 205 Old Commerce Road off U.S. Highway 441 north of Athens. To reach the center from the Loop 10 bypass, exit at U.S. Highway 441/Commerce Road and turn north toward Commerce. Go approximately a mile, turn left at the Sandy Creek Nature Center sign and go to the end of the road. Turn left at Old Commerce Road; parking for the Education and Visitor Center will be on the right.