LEARN ABOUT CREATURES

From the Golden Gate Audubon Society Website:

Iceland is a fascinating island ecosystem in the North Atlantic. Its biota is partly Eurasian and partly North American. It is also a major migratory stopover for birds migrating between breeding grounds in Greenland and northern Canada and wintering areas in Europe. While interdisciplinary approaches to conservation are increasingly viewed as an essential perspective for success, this approach in most parts of the world is generally frustrated by its inherent complexity and failures to communicate across disciplines. Iceland is a wonderful example of where this network of influences comes into clear focus.

In this talk, Bill will briefly outline the human history of the island, beginning in the year 874, and put this story in the context of Iceland 's geology and climate. Then he will give an overview of the Icelandic fauna and flora, with an emphasis on the birds (only 10% of which are passerines). Finally, conservation issues in the country will be summarized, covering such diverse issues as forestry in an almost treeless land, the codfish wars, the Great Auk, whales, introduced species, and more. This is a corner of the Earth you will want to visit!

W. Z. (Bill) Lidicker is Prof. of Integrative Biology and Curator of Mammals, Emeritus , Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at University of California , Berkeley .

The largest coastal lagoon between Point Reyes and Pescadero, Lake Merced is an incomparable natural resource for San Francisco. A controversial preserve has been proposed for East Lake and some intact habitats, to protect wildlife and threatened species. Dan Murphy GG Audubon Society, David Behar, SF Public Utilities Commission. TBA. No Reservations Necessary