Professor to Discuss Early Naturalists

Journeying back to the days before smog alerts and beach closings, history professor Iris H.W. Engstrand of the University of San Diego will discuss early California naturalists Friday at Cal State Northridge.

Titled “The 18th Century Enlightenment Comes to California,” Engstrand’s talk will focus on the efforts of Jose Mariano Mozino, a Mexican naturalist who visited California in the late 18th century. Her presentation will be the 1997 W.P. Whitsett Lecture, established in 1986 in memory of one of the founders of Van Nuys and commemorating his role in the history of the San Fernando Valley.

Engstrand, a specialist in American Western and Spanish colonial history, has written eight books, the latest being “Quest for Empire.”

Her presentation will begin at 8 p.m. in the University Club at the southeast corner of the campus at 18111 Nordhoff St.

A reception and dinner will precede the lecture. Reservations are required and the cost is $25.

For more information, call the CSUN history department at (818) 677-3566.