Speaker: Ian Barlow – The Crazy Bushman (AKA the Turtle Man of Perth); Wildlife Photographer, Educator & Citizen Scientist

Topic: “Showcasing species in need”

Ian will be providing a general information session about the South-western Snake-necked turtle (Chelondina oblonga). The information that he will be talking about comes from the results of his observations of oblong turtles in the wild and the threats and obstacles they face in an ever changing environment due to urbanisation and climate change.

Ian will also have all his educational resources on display as well as information about the 1 Million Turtle’s project whom he volunteers with, and the TurtleSAT app to contribute to the national citizen science project. This initiative is to help raise awareness and reveal the mysteries surrounding our freshwater turtles. Ian will have preserved specimens on display that will be safe to handle.

The aim of the session is to not only raise awareness about our local turtles and also get members of the community to be involved by asking questions or see how they can be involved by doing their small part towards effective conservation!

Plus:

• Focus talk – A member or visitor will give an 8 minute focus talk.
• “Nature road show”. Members and visitors are encouraged to bring items to place on the display table or to send photographs to the MC in advance, e.g. a sample flower, an insect, and so on – anything of natural history interest that has legally been obtained. If we have time, one of our experts will identify them or briefly talk about them, or the person bringing them can talk about where they saw it, etc. Photographs are particularly welcome, as everyone can see them. If you wish to show a photograph please email it, no later than the Wednesday before the meeting, to our MC for this night, and she/he will include it on her PowerPoint slides. We have a dedicated email for this purpose” drbchair@wanaturalists.org.au
• Excursions/citizen science/conservation: information on what’s coming up.
• Door prizes: You could also be the lucky winner of a door prize. We make sure there are prizes for both members and visitors.
• Raffle: We will have a great raffle  – please raid your piggy bank for a bit more cash, $5 for 3 tickets.

Time: Please come at 7.15pm or earlier if you wish, for a 7.30pm start as we start promptly. We are open from 6.45pm. We finish formal proceedings no later than 9.30pm. Donations of food for post-meeting supper are welcome.

Donation: All this for only a donation of $3 per person for adult members ($0 for child members), and $5 per adult visitor and $1 per visiting child to help with the costs of running the club, venue hire, insurance and so on.  Please bring the right CASH to help us avoid long queues. Payment direct to bank account by EFT is welcome.

Entrance: It is a condition of entry that everyone signs in on arrival, thank you.

Parking: Free parking right outside.

Wheelchair access: Everything is on one level.

Toilets: Are inside.

Bookings: No bookings required. No RSVP required.