Bulletin Vol II, 2005: Continued

Our Summer 2005 issue of the Santa Catalina Bulletin is continued below. Here you will find information on recent ELW events.

Dr. George Dvorky
Dr. George Divoky (Research Associate at the Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks; Director of Friends of Cooper Island) visited Santa Catalina on Friday, February 4th, to lecture students in our Advanced Placement Biology, Advanced Placement Environmental Science, and Marine Science classes. Dr. Divoky's lecture focused on the results of his long-term study (began in 1972) of a Black Guillemot ( Cepphus grylle ) population on Cooper Island, Alaska. The breadth and complexity of Dr. Divoky's project has made it possible for him to monitor the effects of recent global warming on arctic seabirds. During his visit with the science students here, he addressed correlations between climate data, population changes, and resource availability as they apply to his research in arctic habitats and on guillemots.

Dr. Divoky's presentation of his work provided our students with an unbelievably informative overview of "how science works." Dr. Divoky had the presence of mind in 1972 to recognize that his discovery of the seabirds Black Guillemots on Cooper Island was the doorway to an incredible project. These diving seabirds, cousins to the charismatic puffins which are typically found further south, nest in crevices during the very short Arctic summers. Black Guillemots typically feed at the sea-ice edge, north of Barrow, Alaska. Warming trends have melted that ice more extensively and earlier each year, which has, in turn, driven the 'food sources' relied on by this species further and further north. This has resulted in dramatic declines in the pigeon guillemot populations as well as other changes in the ecology of that part of the world.

Over the past thirty years, Dr. Divorky's creative planning, careful monitoring, and determined efforts have given birth to a truly landmark study. Dr. Divoky's passion for his work, incredible sense of humor, and understanding of the important role of science in the global dialog were all in display in his lecture to our students.

For his work, Dr. Divoky has been featured in the New York Times as well as on The David Letterman Show . A book about his 'adventures' and work is due out this coming summer. For more information on the findings of Dr. Divoky's research, the Friends of Cooper Island (FOCI) website provides some excellent information (www.cooperisland.org).

"In Her Hands"
Our guest speaker on March 18, 2005, Paola Gianturco, co-authored the book "In Her Hands: Craftswomen Changing the World," which documents the lives of 90 indigenous craftswomen from around the world who live on $1.00 a day or less. During her lecture, Ms. Gianturco related stories and displayed photographs of these remarkable women, illuminating their courageous efforts in improving the infant mortality and life expectancy rate in their respective communities through the production and sale of their crafts. Most of these women are the sole earners for their families and are responsible for their children's well-being and education. Ms. Gianturco's website, www.herhands.com, provides photographs and more information about avenues of purchasing both the book and the crafts made by featured craftswomen.