San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy and theNat present series on local wildlife diversity

The fascinating and connected worlds of insects, plants, birds, mammals and reptiles get the spotlight this fall in an all-new monthly presentation and reception series, presented by San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy and in partnership with San Diego Natural History Museum, theNAT.

For nature enthusiasts, this is an opportunity to learn from museum experts about the incredible plant and animal diversity found throughout San Diego County, with a lens on the species within San Elijo Lagoon. The Nature Series program includes Thursday wine and cheese meet and greets, followed by a slide presentation at MiraCosta College San Elijo Campus. Receptions begin at 6 p.m. The presentations occur from 6:30-8 p.m.

Insects | Sept. 13: Michael Wall, PhD, Curator of Entomology

Michael Wall, PhD is the director of the Biodiversity Research Center of the Californias at the San Diego Natural History Museum. Dr. Wall also serves as museum vice president of science and conservation. He is an award-winning teacher and Fulbright Fellow.

Reptiles | Oct. 18: Brad Hollingsworth, PhD, Curator of Herpetology

Brad Hollingsworth, PhD is the museum’s curator of herpetology. Dr. Hollingsworth’s research focuses on the evolution and biogeography of the herpetofauna of Baja California and its associated islands. Brad is also an adjunct professor at San Diego State University in the biology department.

Mammals and Birds | Nov. 15: Phil Unitt, Curator of Birds & Mammals

?Philip Unitt, museum curator, is a specialist in subspecies identification of California birds and author of The San Diego County Bird Atlas, The Birds of San Diego County and editor of Western Birds, the regional journal of ornithology for western North America.

Botany | Dec. 13: Jon Rebman, PhD, Curator of Botany

Jon P. Rebman, PhD is the Mary and Dallas Clark Endowed chair and curator of botany at the museum. Dr. Rebman is a plant taxonomist and conducts extensive floristic research in Baja California and in San Diego and Imperial Counties.

The Fall Nature Series is presented by San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy; and in partnership with San Diego Natural History Museum and MiraCosta College Foundation. Support is provided by the California Coastal Conservancy’s Explore the Coast grant awarded to the Conservancy’s nationally recognized conservation education program. Registration is online: www.SanElijo.org/NatureSeries

Series cost: $60 members | $80 public. Visit SanElijo.org, (760) 436-3944.