January’s lecture features Douglas W. Smith presenting the new book, Yellowstone’s Birds: Diversity and Abundance in the World’s First National Park, released in October 2023. This is only the third book in the history of Yellowstone to focus on birds, and the first book on the science and conservation of the Park’s birds. Smith will discuss four key issues facing birds in and around Yellowstone National Park (YNP): 1) lead poisoning and hunting, 2) old-growth forests, their vulnerability, and the birds that live in them, 3) Trumpeter Swans, and 4) Common Loons and the isolated nature of the YNP population.
About Our Speaker
Senior Wildlife Biologist, Douglas W. Smith PhD retired in 2022 after 28 years of service in Yellowstone National Park. During his tenure, supervision of the wolf, bird, and elk programs were combined under Doug. He began as the Project Leader for the Yellowstone Wolf Project involving the reintroduction and restoration of wolves to YNP. Doug has studied wolves for 44 years and birds for 14. While earning a B.S. degree in Wildlife Biology at University of Idaho (1985), and a M.S. degree in Biology from Michigan Technological University (1988), he worked on a long-term project studying wolves and moose on the Isle Royale with Rolf Peterson. He then went to University of Nevada, Reno, earning a PhD in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology in 1997 under Stephen H. Jenkins.
Smith has published many journal articles and book chapters on beavers, wolves, and birds. He has authored or co-authored five popular books on wolves and birds, including The Wolves of Yellowstone and Decade of the Wolf, which won the 2005 Montana Book Award for best book published in Montana.
Doug has participated in numerous documentaries about wolves and birds for National Geographic, British Broadcasting Company (BBC), CBS 60 Minutes, and other media outlets. He recently presented a TEDx talk about wolves and will be featured as a Nat Geo Live speaker in 2024. He has given over 2000 media interviews, frequently speaking about wolves and birds to audiences all over the world. He is a member of the Mexican Wolf Recovery Team, the Re-Introduction Specialist Group, and the Canid Specialist Group for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Doug is an avid canoeist, preferring to travel mostly in the remote regions of northern Canada with his wife Christine, and their two sons Sawyer and Hawken.
The SAS January program will be held Monday, January 8 at Hope Lutheran Church, 2152 West Graf (off S. 19th). A social begins at 6:30 pm; the program begins at 7:00 pm. Bring your own reusable cup.
A book signing will follow with a limited number of copies available for a price of $35. Proceeds from book sales will go to SAS projects and the Yellowstone Bird Program.
For virtual attendance, please register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8010236213898580056
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Attendees—whether in person or virtual—are encouraged to share their bird sightings at this and every monthly program.
SAS monthly programs are free and open to the public, featuring special guest speakers the 2nd Monday of each month, September through May. For more information, contact Ken Sinay at programs@sacajaweaaudubon.org.
