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Free Interagency Brown Bag Lecture Schedule for February 2016

St. George, Utah—Every Friday, the Bureau of Land Management and its partners host the popular Brown Bag Lecture series which provides unique opportunities for members of the public to learn more about the area’s natural resources and public lands. Speakers include geologists, range specialists, biologists, archaeologists, rangers and other specialists who delve more deeply into subjects tied to the Arizona Strip and surrounding public lands. For those who want to learn more before venturing out or are curious about these remote and rugged landscapes, the lectures are an excellent way to bring the resources and related issues to the community’s doorstep.

The lectures, which begin at noon and last one hour, are held at the Interagency Information Center, located at 345 E. Riverside Drive in St. George, Utah.  Admission is free, but space is limited for this popular lecture series.  Attendees are advised to reserve their free seating early; tickets are available one week prior to each program. To obtain tickets visit the Interagency Information Center or call 435-688-3200 for more information.

The lecture series is sponsored by the Dixie/Arizona Strip Interpretive Association, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service.  

 FEB. 5            LeAnn Skrynski, Special Project Coordinator, 20^th Anniversary of the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

Skrynski is a hosted worker with Glen Canyon Natural History Association, assigned to coordinate 20^th anniversary activities for Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.  She will be highlighting the extraordinary opportunities available on nearly 1.9 million acres of America’s public lands ranging from the spectacular Grand Staircase of cliffs and terraces, across the rugged Kaiparowits Plateau, to the wonders of the Escalante River Canyons.

FEB. 12          The Hidden World of the Big Cypress Fox Squirrel by John Kellam, BLM St. George Field Office Wildlife Biologist

John Kellam, Wildlife Biologist for the BLM St. George Field Office will present information on the elusive Big Cypress fox squirrel—a colorful species (ranging from bright orange to all black) that lives in the remote swamps/forests of southern Florida.  From 2007-2011, Kellam was the lead biologist of the first successful ecology/habitat use study of the Big Cypress fox squirrel in natural habitats, and his findings were recently published in the Journal of Mammalogy.  Kellam’s presentation offers a unique glimpse into efforts to capture/study this rare, beautiful, and interesting species of growing conservation concern.

FEB. 19           Officer Darrel Cashing Washington County Search and Rescue

Learn about the work volunteer members of this non-profit organization do to assist the Washington County Sheriff’s Office to respond to a variety of emergency situations in both rural and urban locations. Search and Rescue units from a high angle team to scuba team, help locate missing persons, recover stranded vehicles, and aid in the safe recovery of persons lost or injured in the wilderness. They also assist first responders with medical calls in remote areas, assist law enforcement with the recovery of human remains and assist emergency personnel during evacuations or large-scale disasters.

FEB. 26           Amber Van Alfen, Archaeologist Zion National Park

Archeological sites occur throughout Zion National Park. These fragile resources provide important clues to the past. Because most sites can easily be damaged by human activities, only a few are designated as ''open'' to public viewing. Van Alfen will discuss current research regarding archeological resources in Zion National Park.