NOTE: This program will be offered in-person only. Attendance is limited and advance registration will be required. Details will be posted below on April 1.
Rattlesnakes perform a variety of critical roles in our ecosystems, but are largely hated and feared. Non-avian reptiles and amphibians on the whole are frequently overlooked even by the groups tasked with protecting them and their habitats. Using real reptiles and amphibians to bring this talk to life, Cameron Young will lead a discussion of prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis) and other local species, exploring what makes these animals unique, how their conservation is intrinsically linked to the conservation of birds and local ecosystems, and the positive impacts these animals have on humans.
Bullsnake in grass. Photo by Cameron Young.
Cameron Young with Northern Watersnake. Photo courtesy of My Nature Lab
Cameron Young has had a passion for snakes and other reptiles and amphibians since before he can remember as a child. After receiving his degree in Biology from Earlham College, Cameron worked for almost 20 years as a wildlife ecologist specializing in permitting threatened and endangered species for oil and gas projects across the country. There, Cameron recognized the critical need for a better way to teach biology and conservation to people of all ages. In 2011, Cameron founded the Center for Snake Conservation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to changing human perceptions about snakes. In 2018, Cameron opened My Nature Lab, the CSC’s educational facility based in Louisville, CO. My Nature Lab reaches approximately 10,000 people annually with its fun, engaging, and hands-on educational programs.
In-Person Gathering - BCAS welcomes everyone back to in-person programs at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder. Doors open at 7 PM for socializing and the program begins at 7:15. While the church is no longer requiring masks, we encourage you to wear your favorite high-quality mask, and we will provide free surgical masks for anyone who needs one. Please stay home if you feel sick, and watch the program on Zoom!
NOTE: This program will require registration. Check back on April 1 for details!