Kristie Nelson speaks at Audubon

Join Kristie Nelson for an overview of PRBO Conservation Science’s 30 years of research on Mono Lake’s gulls

The potluck will be at 6 p.m. The program will follow at 7.

The description of Nelson’s program on California Gull Research on Mono Lake is as follows:

The islands of Mono Lake are home to one of the largest nesting colonies of California Gulls in the world. The colony was nearly devastated by human-caused water diversions from Mono Lake, which caused Mono Lake to lose over half its volume and allowed coyotes and other predators access to the gulls’ vulnerable eggs and young. This predation triggered major conservation efforts, legal actions, and media coverage to help “Save Mono Lake” and its California Gulls. Following the predation, the gulls abandoned their historic colony location and relocated to smaller islets on Mono Lake, demonstrating “intelligence” and flexibility. The same year, a handful of pioneering breeders began nesting on salt flats in the San Francisco Bay, establishing the first ever coastal breeding attempts, and beginning a remarkable biological shift for the species. Join Kristie for an overview of PRBO Conservation Science’s 30 years of research on Mono Lake’s gulls, from its involvement in the early days with the fledgling Mono Lake Committee, to exciting discoveries being made today.

For more information about the Holiday Dinner, Program and Guest Speaker, visit esaudubon.org/events/programs or call Jenny Richardson: 760.920.8541.