provided to The Santiva Chronicle
As an internationally acclaimed birder, photographer, and prolific award-winning author of The Crossley ID Guide series, Richard Crossley is highly qualified to speak about “The Power of Birding.” That is the topic of his upcoming free lecture on Thursday, Jan. 25, at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island. His two lectures take place at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Born in Yorkshire, England, Crossley also lived in Japan and birded worldwide before settling down in his current home in Cape May, N.J. Sometimes called “crazy” (his badge of honor), “wildly passionate,” and “driven,” Crossley’s focus is youth birding and connecting people to a fuller appreciation and understanding of nature and its benefits to well-being.
Crossley also co-founded the global birding initiatives Pledge to Fledge, Race4Birds, and the Cape May Young Birders Club. He served on the board of directors at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and has contributed to most major birding publications. A highly sought-after speaker, he frequently also talks on radio shows.
“Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge co-hosts the lectures with the refuge and through financial support from sponsors the Gresham Family, Mark and Kathy Helge, and Hightower Advisors/Thomas and Swartz Wealth Management. Note: Opinions expressed in guest lectures do not necessarily reflect the views of refuge and DDWS management, staff, and board of directors.
Crossley’s lecture is part of a six-lecture series, now in its 19th year at “Ding” Darling. Seating for the free lectures is limited on a first-come basis. Early arrivals can check in after 9 a.m. or 12 p.m. respectively to obtain an entrance wristband and then can explore the Visitor & Education Center or Wildlife Drive and trails before the lecture starts. Saved seats must be filled 15 minutes before lecture time or risk being reassigned.
Below is the calendar of upcoming scheduled lectures. Book-signings will follow all starred (*) lectures. For more information about the lecture series, click here.
• *January 25: Author/photographer Richard Crossley, “The Power of Birding” (Co-sponsor: The Gresham Family, Mark & Kathy Helge, and Hightower Fort Myers)
• *February 1: Author James Currie, When Eagles Roar: The Amazing Journey of an African Wildlife Adventurer (Co-sponsor: Jacqueline Aleandri, Hightower Fort Myers, Haley Ward, Inc., and Hank & Linda Spire)
• March 7: Author/environmentalist Diane Wilson, “One Woman’s Fight to Save Our Waters from Microplastic Pollution” (Co-sponsor LMP Conservation Fund for Girls and Friend of “Ding” Darling)
• *March 14: Author/Sanibel islander Charles Sobczak, “Surviving the Storms – Hurricanes, Humans, and Wildlife” (Co-sponsors Cliff & Susan Beittel and Friend of “Ding” Darling)
• March 21: Recycling expert Stephanie Kissinger, “Talking Trash: Post-Hurricane Clean-Up and Recycling” (Sponsor Friend of “Ding” Darling)
NOTE: Book signings will follow all lectures marked with an asterisk (*)
Leave a Comment