<div dir="ltr"><div><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">GRASSLANDS: A NEW FRONTIER FOR TUCSON AUDUBON’S ADULT LEARNING INSTITUTE</p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"> </p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">
INSTITUTE OF GRASSLAND ECOLOGY</p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"><span class="" tabindex="0"><span class="">OCTOBER 3-6, 2013</span></span></p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">
APPLETON-WHITTELL RESEARCH RANCH, ELGIN, ARIZONA</p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"> </p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">Tucson Audubon and National Audubon are offering the first Institute of Grassland Ecology - an experience of a lifetime! Housed in the same format as Tucson Audubon’s flagship environmental program, the Institute of Desert Ecology, you will be immersed in the subtle, understated beauty of one of the Earth’s most threatened ecosystems. From <span class="" tabindex="0"><span class="">October 3-6, 2013</span></span> you will explore a globally important habitat, encounter unique flora and fauna, engage with enthusiastic, expert faculty, participate in a national conservation project, camp in the golden, rolling grasslands of Elgin, Arizona, eat healthy, local produce from the kitchen of Dish for Dosha AND make new friends!</p>
<p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"> </p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">EXPLORE THIS AMAZING ECOSYSTEM WITH OUR EXPERT FACULTY:</p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">
Mammals: Ronnie Sidner, Ph.D.; Ecological Consultant Reptiles and Amphbians: Roger Cogan; Conservation Coordinator, Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch</p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">Botany: Linda Kennedy, Ph.D.; Director, Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch</p>
<p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">Birds: Ron Pulliam, Ph.D.; Regents Professor Emeritus, Eugene P. Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia</p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">
Insects: John Palting, Ph.D. Candidate; University of Arizona Biogeograpy and Climate Change: Greg Barron-Gafford, Ph.D.; Assistant Professor, University of Arizona, Biosphere 2</p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">
</p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">SPECIAL TOPICS INCLUDE:</p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">The Role of Ft. Huachuca in Grassland Protection: Sheridan Stone, Wildlife Biologist, Fort Huachuca Grazing and Land Management: William Schock, President, Santa Cruz Natural Resource Conservation District Land Ethics: Trica Oshant Hawkins, Education Director, Environmental Education Exchange Grasslands Ethnobotany, Wildlife Tracking, Star Gazing: Vincent Pinto, Naturalist/Wildlife Biologist, Raven’s Way Wild Journeys Southeastern Arizona Pronghorn Enhancement Project: John Millican, - Southeast Arizona Projects Manager, Arizona Antelope Foundation Grassland Bird ID: Homer Hansen, President, Aplomado Environmental, LLC</p>
<p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"> </p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">CONTRIBUTE TO GRASSLAND CONSERVATION AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL:</p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">
</p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">As a wrap up activity to the Institute, you will work together with staff from the Borderlands Habitat Restoration Initiative, to collect the seeds of native grasses as a part of a national seed collection program established by the Bureau of Land Management, called <b>Seeds of Success</b>. There are over 13,000 native seed collections in this national bank. A portion of your collection will be held in a long-term storage facility for conservation and the remaining will be returned to the Research Ranch for restoration efforts.</p>
<p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"> </p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">MEALS:</p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">Ample, tasty meals will be catered onsite by Dish for Dosha. Head chef, Cecilia Arosemena, was trained in ayurveda at the Chopra Center for Wellbeing, in culinary arts at the Art Institute of Tucson, and in China with a master chef. She was recently hired as a cook at Canyon Ranch and has spent 14 years as a server and menu consultant at Tucson’s Café Poca Cosa. Her thoughts on the Institute - “I am delighted for the opportunity to serve my community in this natural, magical environment and share the sweet nectars of the Sonoran Desert with you - mesquite breads, prickly pear lemonades, and cooling nopalitos are coming your way!” – Chef Cecilia</p>
<p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"> </p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">Options to accommodate vegetarians and other dietary considerations (i.e. vegan, gluten free) will be presented.</p>
<p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"> </p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">PARTICIPANTS: Participants should be at least 18 years of age and in good health. Anyone with an interest in natural history and grassland ecology can participate.</p>
<p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"> </p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">FOR PROFESSIONALS AND STUDENTS: Continuing education credit is available for participants who teach within the Tucson Unified School District. University of Arizona credit is also offered.</p>
<p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"> </p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">SCHOLARSHIPS: Limited scholarship funds are available. Donations are welcomed and are tax deductible.</p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">
</p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">FEE AND REGISTRATION: $560 per person ($525 for Tucson Audubon Members). Fee includes expert instruction and all meals from dinner on <span class="" tabindex="0"><span class="">Wednesday, October 2nd</span></span> to lunch on <span class="" tabindex="0"><span class="">Sunday, October 6</span></span>. You must register separately for the camping fee, which is $40/person for the duration of the program.</p>
<p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"> </p><p style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">REGISTER TODAY! Visit <a href="http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/ige" target="_blank">www.tucsonaudubon.org/ige</a> or contact Institute Director, Bete Jones, at (520) 209-1812 with any questions. Deadline for registration is <span class="" tabindex="0"><span class="">September 1, 2013</span></span>.</p>
<p class="" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"> </p><p class="" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"> </p><p class="" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"> </p><p class="" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">
<b><span style="font-size:10pt;color:rgb(43,133,60)">________________________________________________________________________</span></b></p><p class="" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"><b><span style="font-size:10pt;color:rgb(43,133,60)">Bete Jones| Education Program Coordinator | <u><a href="mailto:bjones@tucsonaudubon.org" target="_blank">bjones@tucsonaudubon.org</a></u></span></b></p>
<p class="" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"><span style="font-size:10pt">300 E University Blvd, Ste 120 | Tucson AZ 85705|520-209-1812</span></p><p class="" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">
<span style="font-size:10pt">Tucson Audubon’s Mason Center |3835 W. Hardy Rd |Tucson AZ 85742|</span></p><p class="" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"><b><u><span style="font-size:10pt;color:rgb(43,133,60)"><a href="http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(43,133,60)">tucsonaudubon.org</span></a></span></u></b><b><span style="font-size:10pt;color:rgb(43,133,60)"> | <u><a href="http://tucsonaudubon.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(43,133,60)">tucsonaudubon.blogspot.com</span></a></u></span></b></p>
<p class="" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px"><b><u><span style="font-size:10pt;color:rgb(43,133,60)"> </span></u></b></p></div><div><br></div><br clear="all"><div><div dir="ltr">Megan Haidet<div>Seeds of Success<br>
<div>National Collection Curator</div><div>Seeds of Success</div><div>202-912-7233</div><div><br></div><div><a href="http://www.blm.gov/sos" target="_blank">www.blm.gov/sos</a></div></div></div></div>
</div>