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Naturespeak

The Whistler Naturalists are pleased to announce a special speaker, Danny Catt, for Thursday, March 22, 2001. Catt – writer, photographer, traveller, teacher, and naturalist – is an engaging and inspiring public speaker.

The Whistler Naturalists are pleased to announce a special speaker, Danny Catt, for Thursday, March 22, 2001. Catt – writer, photographer, traveller, teacher, and naturalist – is an engaging and inspiring public speaker.

More than 10 years with Canada’s National Parks Service working in environmental education and park planning gave Danny ample opportunity to develop his photography, presentation, public speaking and naturalist skills. With a diploma in Fish, Wildlife and Recreational Land Management from BCIT, Danny has also completed studies at Simon Fraser University and the College of African Wildlife Management in Tanzania, East Africa. His travels have taken him around the world, from the harsh beauty of Canada's high arctic, to the plains and volcanoes of Africa and the dense tropical forests of Indonesia. As well as being an internationally published writer and photographer, Danny continues to work as a naturalist during the summer months, leading a variety of photography and adventure travel trips.

A talented and effective communicator, Danny combines powerful slide images with his talks on a variety of environmental and natural history topics.

"I think being a good public speaker involves knowing your audience and making personal connections," he says. "We all have a spirit of adventure and I hope that I am able to trigger that spirit in those who hear me speak."

Danny says that the most rewarding thing about giving presentations to groups like the Whistler Naturalists is "being able to share my personal experiences, and in doing so inspire others to explore and respect the natural world around them."

"One of my favourite talks I gave was to school children on a remote island in southern Japan. The kids had painted a particular image of Canada in their minds based on what they had read in text books (RCMP on horseback, Inuit in igloos, etc.), but by sharing some of my experiences about my country I think the kids now have a different view of what Canada is all about."

When he’s not seeking adventures in exotic places, Danny is a faculty member at BCIT where he teaches ecology and wildlife management in the Fish, Wildlife and Recreation program. Danny’s presentation on Thursday night is called Natural History and the Adventure Traveller, a presentation that combines slide images from adventures in North America and abroad for a presentation that is fun – and sure to be inspiring.

Whistler Naturalists welcome everyone to Danny’s presentation at 7:30 p.m. in the Alex Philip Lounge Room at Myrtle Philip Community Centre. Members $2; Non-members $5; Children under 12 free.

Upcoming Events:

March 22 — Slide Presentation with Ecologist Danny Catt . See details above.

April 7 — Monthly Bird Walk . Meet at the base of Lorimer Road at 7 a.m. ( please note earlier time! ). Contact Michael Thompson (932-5010) for more information.

Sightings and Memberships: NatureSpeak is prepared by the Whistler Naturalists. To become a member or to report noteworthy sightings of mammals, birds, or other species, contact Lee Edwards (905-6448; e-mail: leighe11@hotmail.com).