2008-2009 FOMB Speaker Series

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Misty Gorski- 582-5608

Subject:         Coyote~ America’s Song Dog
Speaker:       Geri Vistein, Conservation Biologist, Project Coyote
When:           Wednesday, December 9 at 7:00 p.m.
Where:          Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick

Join Friends of Merrymeeting Bay (FOMB) on Wednesday, December 9 at 7pm for the third presentation in their 13th season’s Winter Speaker Series; ‘Coyote~ America’s Song Dog.’ The evening presentation features Geri Vistein, Conservation Biologist for Project Coyote.  

As the most persecuted native carnivore in North America today, an estimated 500,000 coyotes are killed every year by government-funded predator control programs, trappers, hunters, and ranchers. Coyotes are a vital component of rural and urban communities, deserving of respect for their adaptability, resilience, and intelligence. By creating a shift in attitudes toward coyotes and other native carnivores through replacing ignorance and fear with understanding and appreciation coyotes and humans can coexist with reduced conflicts and negative encounters between coyotes and people. Project Coyote promotes educated coexistence between people and coyotes by championing progressive management policies and fostering respect for and understanding of America's native wild "song dog."

Vistein is a Conservation Biologist whose focus is carnivores and our relationship with them. Through research efforts in the Western United States, Vistein has participated in several carnivore interrelated studies including: The Grizzly Bear DNA Study in and around Glacier National Park, The Elk Calf Mortality Study in the Blackfoot Valley of Montana, and a Snowshoe Hare Study in Yellowstone National Park. In addition to her work out west, Vistein worked with the Red Lodge Clearinghouse to support, connect and inform the partners of collaborative efforts and others addressing natural resource challenges in their community. She currently resides in Maine where her conservation efforts on behalf of Project Coyote involve creative outreach projects, and collaboration with state and federal biologists, non-government organizations, university professors, and talented artists in the community.

The FOMB Winter Speaker Series takes place monthly from October-May on the second Wednesday. The January presentation ‘Healthy Rivers/Healthy Gulf’, features Nate Gray, Biologist with the Maine Department of Marine Resources’ Bureau of Sea-Run Fisheries and Habitat; Jeff Pierce, builder, commercial alewife harvester and President of the Alewife Harvesters of Maine; and Kathleen McGee, member of the FOMB Research & Advocacy Committee. This event will take place 7pm, Wednesday January 13th in the Cram Alumni House, 83 Federal St. at Bowdoin College following FOMB’s Annual Meeting at 6:15 and Potluck supper at 5:30. The series, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by Friends of Merrymeeting Bay with support and valuable door prizes from Patagonia Outlet in Freeport.  

To receive more information on FOMB’s programs call Misty Gorski, Executive Coordinator, Friends of Merrymeeting Bay, at 582-5608 or fomb@gwi.net <mailto:fomb@gwi.net> . Full speaker schedule and biographies are available on the web at www.friendsofmerrymeetingbay.org <http://www.friendsofmerrymeetingbay.org/> .


Photo by Ed Friedman
 
Misty A. Gorski
Executive Coordinator
Friends of Merrymeeting Bay
 
P.O. Box 233
Richmond, Maine 04357
(207) 582-5608
fomb@gwi.net

www.FriendsofMerrymeetingBay.org <http://www.FriendsofMerrymeetingBay.org>