6:30 PM Doors Open
7:00 PM Birding Info: Winners of the MDAS photo contest
7:25 PM Announcements
7:40 PM Refreshments and Raffle
8:00 PM Main Program: Antarctica
*as a conservation organization we encourage you to bring your own mug for coffee or tea
 
Birding info: Winners of the MDAS photo contest
 
We reviewed your submissions, now it is time to reveal the winners of the third annual Mt Diablo Audubon Photo Contest! See who won in six categories: California Birds, International Birds, Birds in Action, Birds Dining, Worst Bird Photo EVER, and Youth: For photographers aged 8-17. (Any type of bird photo can be submitted in this category.)
 
Winners and runners-up will be shared at the meeting, so come enjoy the best photos from our local birding community!
 
Main Program: Antarctica 

Ariana Rickard

Have you been dreaming about visiting the astonishing terrain of Antarctica and seeing the famous penguins, seals, whales, and glaciers? Do you long to experience a place teeming with life that few people get to see? Ariana will take you there through photos, videos, and stories from her trip earlier this year. Learn about the adorable penguins, majestic whales, seals, sea lions, and other bird life that thrive in this harsh environment. You won’t even have to cross the dreaded Drake passage to experience the wonders of Antarctica. But if you want to visit Antarctica, Ariana will share practical trips to help make your trip a reality.

Ariana is the Vice-President and Program Chair for Mt. Diablo Audubon. She also serves on the MDAS Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee. She is the Public Policy and Funding Program Manager at Sonoma Land Trust. Ariana has worked for several federal government agencies, including the Peace Corps in Ecuador, and numerous environmental nonprofits, such as Audubon California and the San Francisco Bay Joint Venture. She earned her BA from Harvard College in Environmental Science and Public Policy and her MS from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with a focus on Ecology.