ST. GEORGE – For those who are passionate about venturing outdoors, the March lineup for the Brown Bag Lecture Series promises to deliver some engaging lectures. Gitta the K9 Search and Rescue Dog, a well-traveled photographer, and intriguing archeologist are among the unique guests who will showcase some of this region’s most spectacular natural resources this month.
Each Friday from October to May, natural resource specialists and scientists bring the most interesting aspects of outdoor recreation and resource management to the public’s doorstep with the Brown Bag Lecture Series.
Hosted at the Interagency Center at 345 East Riverside Drive in St. George, the free lectures provide outstanding information on a diverse range of subjects from the recreational aspects of photography, four wheeling and hiking, to scientific findings on issues such as prehistory, geology, biology, and current events.
Sponsored by the Dixie/Arizona Strip Interpretive Association, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and U.S. Forest Service, the free weekly lectures are presented at noon and last for one hour. In order to maximize the lunch hour, attendees are welcome to bring their own sack lunch to enjoy while learning from the presentations. Admission is free, but space is limited for this popular lecture series. To reserve a seat obtain tickets in advance either at the Interagency Visitor Center or by calling 435-688-3200.
March 2012 Brown Bag Schedule
March 9: K9 Search and Rescue – Join Washington County Search and Rescue Lead Volunteer Mike Thomas and his wonder dog, Gitta, for an informative and delightful presentation on the exceptional talents that man’s best friend lends to Search and Rescue efforts locally. At the end of the hour, seminar participants will be able to enjoy a unique, first-hand experience of watching Gitta track her goal. But come prepared; if you volunteer, Gitta’s goal may just be you!
March 16 at 12 p,m.: The Old Spanish National Historic Trail – Reba Grandrud, President of the Old Spanish Trail Association (OSTA), and Steve Heath, Regional (OSTA) President, will provide an overview of activities on this significant part of this historic pathway that bisects Washington County.
Special Evening Lecture: March 16 t 7 p.m.: The Maya – Partnering with Pipe Spring National Monument the Interagency Center will host author and photographer Michael Plyler. This special evening lecture will feature thirty years of Plyler’s photography of the Central American Maya of Guatemala. At the conclusion of his talk, Plyler will be available to discuss and sign copies of “Southern Paiute: A Portrait” recently co-authored with Logan Hebner.
March 23: Our Amazing Past – Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument Archeologist David Van Alfen, will reveal the most recent archeological findings on the Arizona Strip’s Monument and current interpretations of their cultural significance.
March 30: On the Lake – Join us for this special lecture as Photographer Jud Burkett recaps some of his favorite boating, hiking, family, and photography adventures near Glen Canyon Recreation Area and Lake Powell. Burkett’s nature photography and outdoors columns appear in The Spectrum and Daily News and St. George Magazine, and his photography has been published on “the Wire” through the Associated Press.