February NVBC Meeting: Mike Braun from the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History will present a program on Evolving Species and Species Concepts (or why the AOU won't leave your life list alone).

Mike Braun grew up in Houston enthralled by the natural wonders of the Texas Gulf Coast and Hill Country. He began birding in high school and roamed Texas and Mexico in the 1970s with family and friends of the birding community. His love of nature led him to study science as an undergraduate at Cornell University and to pursue a doctorate exploring the evolutionary genetics of birds at Louisiana State University. After post-doctoral studies at the National Cancer Institute and a year on the faculty of the University of Cincinnati, Mike moved to the Smithsonian Institution in 1988 where he founded the Laboratory of Molecular Systematics. His research work uses molecular genetic data to explore the evolutionary relationships and diversification of birds and other organisms. One major current project is “Early Bird,” a consortium effort with five other labs to reconstruct the family tree of all living bird groups. He also is involved in a long-term inventory of the avifauna of Guyana. Mike has led occasional bird tours to North and South America since his days in graduate school, and he loves to share his knowledge of nature and science with others. He lives near Annapolis, Maryland, with his wife, Kirsten.

April meeting—Wednesday, April 18 The April speaker is our very own Barbara Chambers, who is active in both the National and Virginia Bluebird Societies. The title of her talk will be "On the Trail With Bluebirds".

 
LOCATION - Our meetings are on the third Wednesday of February, April, September and November at the Church of the Covenant, 2666 Military Road, Arlington. For a map, and to get directions , go HERE.