Conservation Conversations – The Secretive Seabirds of Santa Catalina Island

Join us for Conservation Conversations, a premier event series presented by the Catalina Island Conservancy, featuring renowned thought leaders, scientists, and changemakers at the forefront of conservation. Each session dives into critical environmental issues, groundbreaking research, and innovative solutions to protect and sustain our planet.

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This Month’s Featured Conversation:

The Secretive Seabirds of Santa Catalina Island

Have you ever wondered about the mysterious seabirds that call Catalina Island home? These elusive creatures—rarely seen by the millions who live in Southern California—play a crucial role in our ecosystem. This month, we’re taking you on a journey into their hidden world.

Join Mike Parker, a leading seabird biologist and Executive Director of the California Institute of Environmental Studies, as he reveals the life stories of two secretive seabird species: the Leach’s storm-petrels and Scripps’s murrelets. Discover the challenges they face, the groundbreaking research protecting their futures, and the inspiring conservation efforts happening right here on Catalina Island.

These tiny yet resilient seabirds offer a fascinating glimpse into the challenges of island ecosystems and the innovative efforts to protect them. Don’t miss this opportunity to dive into their world and hear from an expert dedicated to their conservation.

Event Details

• Date: January 31, 2025
• Time: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM PST
• Location: Trailhead Visitor Center, Avalon, CA, or Online via Zoom
• Online Access: Live-streamed for global audiences

Speaker

Mike Parker

Mike has been the Executive Director of the California Institute of Environmental Studies since 2017. He earned a BS in Wildlife Biology at the University of Vermont and a MS in Natural Resources at Humboldt State University. Mike has over 35 years’ experience in conservation and restoration throughout the western United States. He has focused on avian ecology and habitat restoration.  Mike monitors ashy and Leach’s storm-petrels, Scripps’s and Guadalupe murrelets, and California brown pelicans while overseeing habitat restoration work on six of the California Channel Islands. He has also assisted Japanese seabird biologists on the study of Japanese crested murrelets for the past 7 years.