ACR Conservation Talk: Creepy Crawlies & Insect Safari

AUDUBON CANYON RANCH
Martin Griffin Preserve
ACR Conservation Talk: Creepy Crawlies & Insect Safari

“Insect Literacy in a World that’s Mostly Repulsed by Anything with More than Four Legs”

It is true that insects comprise at least 90% of the animal forms on Earth. That’s 6-10 million species. It is also true that arachnophobia is the #1 phobia in the United States. How, ever, will humanity survive!? Start by finding out that every creepy crawly has a story that it wants to tell. What do I eat? Where do I live? What do I have to do with the price of coffee? Eddie Dunbar will demystify our friend, the insect and insect allies, and put us all onto a path of healing through the amazing world of insects.

Eddie Dunbar is Founder and President of the Insect Sciences Museum of California, an Oakland-based non-profit, where he leads a citizen-based survey of San Francisco Bay Area insects. Dunbar is writing “Insects of the San Francisco Bay Area” (due in 2017), which gets residents involved in observing, photographing and conducting projects that involve local insects. Dunbar holds a B.S. in Business Management and an MBA with emphasis in Technology, but began studies at the University of California, Berkeley Entomology. He is is author of "Lake Merritt and Greater Oakland Insects" (revised 2013), “Insects of Wente Scout Reservation and Mendocino County” (1998) and an "Insects of the San Francisco Bay Area" (1997) website published by the College of Natural Resources at the University of California, Berkeley.

Insects are separated by time and space. Insect Safari goers will explore the insects that inhabit the varied spaces on the Preserve. They will get up close and personal using the same tools that real entomologists use. Nets, magnifying loupes, forceps and vials will be used to capture, observe and release insects of Audubon Canyon Ranch. The insect safari will cover what insects are, why they are so successful and what roles insects play in the ecology. Students debrief, sharing the insects they have discovered, where the insects were found, and what they were doing. If resources permit, specimens may be viewed under a microscopy system.

Ticket holders for the Conservation Talk are invited to join us for the Insect Safari hike. Specify in your ticket choice below.

Conservation Talk: 11:00am- 12:30pm
Insect Safari: 1:00-4:00pm

Tickets: $20 non-member / $15 member or student / FREE for children under age 18. Fees support the preservation, education and conservation science programs of Audubon Canyon Ranch. Learn more about membership.

Cancellation and refund policy: Fees for public programs help fund the programs and preserves of ACR, a non-profit organization. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide refunds for programs cancelled by program attendees. If this event is cancelled by ACR due to heavy rain, high winds or any other reason, we will notify you by email by 8:00 p.m. the night before. A full refund, including all Eventbrite fees, will be credited back to you within 5 business days, depending on your bank. Light rain does not cancel.

ACR offers a limited number of fee waivers upon request. Please email support@egret.org and reference the event title and date in your request for a fee waiver.