For immediate release

Contact:           Dr. Kent Curtis
                         The Walden Woods Project
                         (781) 259-4721
                         education@walden.org                     

LINCOLN, MA; May 3, 2004 – The middle of May is the height of Warbler migration in Massachusetts, making it prime bird watching season, when some of the highest populations of migrating birds populate the state’s fields, forests, and wetlands.  In order to celebrate and raise awareness about Massachusetts’ bird populations, the Walden Woods Project is hosting a talk by David Allen Sibley on Saturday, May 15, 2004.

“Walden Woods is a great bird watching destination,” says Kathi Anderson, Executive Director of the Walden Woods Project. “Henry David Thoreau knew that, which is why you find so many bird references in his writings and journals. It’s also why you find some of the world’s greatest ornithologists in the Concord area.  We’re thrilled to have David Sibley, who is among the world’s foremost ornithologists because of his artistic as well as scientific skills, coming to talk about this subject for our organization.”

David Sibley’s talk, entitled “Bird Watching in the 21^st Century,” will discuss the practice of bird watching and help participants orient themselves for bird watching in Walden Woods.  Whether first time birders or seasoned field experts, this talk promises to enlighten and invigorate as David Sibley shares his field experiences and expertise on this topic.  Families are welcome, and Sibley, who began birding in his youth, especially encourages children with an interest in the outdoors to attend.

The event is co-sponsored by Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) in Acton, who will give a brief presentation on outdoor safety, including season-appropriate outerwear and gear.  Hot coffee and tea as well as other beverages will be available, and participants are encouraged to bring a breakfast or snack food.  Sibley’s presentation will begin at approximately 8:15 a.m.  Following the talk, there will be a cash raffle for the opportunity to accompany Sibley on an expedition into Walden Woods.  Other skilled birders will also be available to take a couple other groups for a short bird watching outing.

“This is a great opportunity to hear one of our nation’s most skilled birders teach us a little bit about how to engage in that practice in our own back yard,” Kent Curtis, Director of Education at the Walden Woods Project said.  “David’s presentations are appropriate for young and old alike, and he has encouraged families and children to consider attending.  We’re really looking forward to this event!”

This presentation and outing is the second in a new lifelong learner series entitled Discovering Walden Woods, being launched by the Walden Woods Project this year.  The Discovering Walden Woods series is designed to inspire an awareness of species diversity and to facilitate environmental stewardship in the communities surrounding Walden Woods.  Walden Woods was home to well-known author Henry David Thoreau, where he engaged in years of nature observation, scientific study, and philosophical exploration.  By retracing these footsteps of Thoreau, participants in the program not only gain a sense of the breadth of biodiversity in Walden Woods, but also of its historical significance as a literary and environmental wellspring.

“One of the keys to good environmental stewardship is learning about your environment.  We are very excited to have David Sibley helping us with our ongoing Discovering Walden Woods program,” says Kent Curtis.  “Participants will learn about local bird populations and migration patterns and how to identify these frequent guests to our neighborhoods.”

About the Walden Woods Project

The Walden Woods Project is a national conservation, education, and research organization committed to preserving the land, literature and legacy of Henry David Thoreau. Founded in 1990 by recording artist Don Henley, the organization uses the land it has protected in Walden Woods to foster an ethic of environmental stewardship and social responsibility, both cornerstones of Thoreau's philosophy. In 14 years, the Project has protected nearly 140 acres in and around Walden Woods and provided educational programming for hundreds of teachers, students, and life long learners. The Walden Woods Project also administers The Thoreau Institute, a research center near Walden Pond that houses the world’s foremost collection of Thoreau-related materials.

About David Sibley

David Sibley, son of the well-known ornithologist Fred Sibley, began seriously watching and drawing birds in 1969, at age seven. Since 1980 David has traveled throughout the North American continent in search of birds, both on his own and as a leader of birdwatching tours, and has lived in California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, Georgia, New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey. This intensive travel and bird study culminated in the publication of his comprehensive guide to bird identification - National Audubon Society, The Sibley Guide to Birds - in the fall of 2000, and the companion volume - National Audubon Society, The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior - in the fall of 2001. In the fall of 2002 "Sibley's Birding Basics" - an introduction to bird identification, was published, and in spring 2003 the Sibley Guides to Eastern and Western birds were released. David now lives in Concord, Massachusetts, where he continues to study and draw birds. You can learn more about David’s work at www.sibleyguides.com.