ST. GEORGE — The Bureau of Land Management and partners have announced the speakers for the December “Brown Bag Lecture” series, all of which take place Fridays at noon in the Interagency Information Center in St. George.

The Bureau of Land Management and its partners host the popular one-hour lectures on Fridays beginning at noon. These offer unique opportunities for members of the public to learn more about natural resources and public lands in Southern Utah and the Arizona Strip.

The lectures are free but popular. Reserve seats one week prior to each program. Tickets are available at the Interagency Information Center, 345 E. Riverside Drive, St. George, or by telephoning 435-688-3200. 

Dec. 9 –  William Mason Hoy, Ph.D., curator, Hoy Insect Museum

If you’ve ever been captivated by a dragonfly in flight or watched a walking stick in wonder, the Dec. 9 lecture by Wiliam Mason Hoy will keep you spellbound. Hoy’s extensive knowledge spans from local bugs to insects found around the world. Learn more about all the creepy crawlies in Southern Utah from the guy who really knows and loves them.

Dec. 16 – Doug Alder, Ph.D., past president Dixie State University, history professor, author

Dr. Alder will be discussing his new book, “Dixie Saints,” a compilation of interviews with senior citizens on the history and growth of Washington County. Alder’s wit and humor about the history of the area are well known and enjoyed.

Dec. 23 – Keith Behunin and the Fertile Dirt Band

The Fertile Dirt Band is an audience interactive bluegrass band utilizing the musical instruments that were available in the days of the pioneers. The audience will enjoy recreating that pioneer music sound with washboards, spoons, cowbells, jugs, washtub bass and bending saws, the sounds of which have not been heard for 150 years.

Dec. 30 – Marilyn Davis, Red Cliffs Audubon Society

The annual “Christmas Bird Count” is a great opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy birding all day long. Participants mingle with fellow birders while contributing to a useful scientific study that has been documenting wintering bird densities and movements for over 100 years.

The “St. George Winter Bird Festival” is an event hosted by the Red Cliffs Audubon Society and Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Their mission is to intrigue and educate the public about these creatures by catering to both novice and expert birders with a variety of field trips, workshops and presentations. Come learn about the region’s most fascinating featured friends.

Read more: Birdwatchers brave rain for Winter Bird Festival; STGnews Videocast

About the Brown Bag Lecture series

Speakers include geologists, range specialists, biologists, archaeologists, rangers and other specialists who cover subjects tied to the Arizona Strip and surrounding public lands.

For those who want to learn more before venturing out or are curious about these remote and rugged landscapes, the lectures are an excellent way to bring the resources and related issues to the community’s doorstep.

The lecture series is sponsored by the Dixie/Arizona Strip Interpretive Association, BLM, National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service and is held at the Interagency Information Center, 345 E. Riverside Drive, St. George.

Lectures begin at noon and last one hour. Advance seat-registration is advised and may be done at the Interagency Information Center in St. George.

Event details

• What: December “Brown Bag Lecture” series.
• When: Successive Fridays at noon, Dec. 9, 16, 23 and 30.
• Where: Interagency Information Center, 345 E. Riverside Drive, St. George | Telephone 435-688-3200.
• Cost: Free but advance seat reservations are advised as space is limited.

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