Holbrook Travel to host upcoming speaking events in Southern California: “Birding the Hot Spots of Costa Rica”

GAINESVILLE, FL, February 2, 2016 - Holbrook Travel will host two upcoming speaking events on the birding hot spots of Costa Rica, with special guest speaker Paulo Valerio. These informative events are free and open to the public.

 

Santa Barbara:

March 7, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.

Flying A Studios Meeting Room in the UCen at UCSB

2nd Floor (main floor)

1 UCEN Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93106

 

Oceanside:

March 9, 2016 at 6:30 p.m.

Buena Vista Audubon Nature Center

2202 S Coast Hwy

Oceanside, CA 92054

 

Birding the “Hot Spots” of Costa Rica

With Paulo Valerio, Birding and Natural History Specialist, Costa Rica

Thousands of years ago, rugged volcanic mountain ranges erected barriers between the Caribbean and Pacific lowlands; they formed a land bridge linking North and South American fauna in Costa Rica, making this small country “big” when it comes to biodiversity and a mecca for bird lovers worldwide. 

Join us for an introduction to birding the varied and splendid “hot spots” of beautiful Costa Rica, and discover how such a great diversity of birds came to exist in such a compact country. Approximately the size of West Virginia, Costa Rica boasts around 900 spectacular avian species in easy-to-access habitats and within relatively short distances, making the country a true paradise for birders. 

Venture across mountain cloud forests, deep into valleys and lowland rainforests, through mangroves, along two ocean coastlines, and everywhere in between. Parrots, toucans, tanagers, trogons, macaws, hummingbirds, motmots and flycatchers are only some of the beautiful birds to be discovered!

Each classroom-style presentation is expected to run 45-60 minutes and will include photos and slides, with time after for Q&A discussion.

 

PAULO VALERIO

Born and raised in Costa Rica, Paulo graduated as a tropical ecologist from the Biology School of the National University of Costa Rica, where he also worked in the Soil and Hydrology Lab. During his graduate studies, he specialized in the development of sampling and research methods for high-flying bats in the rainforest canopy.

Involved with ecotourism since 1992, Paulo has worked as a naturalist guide, birding guide and field instructor for several companies, and has developed and directed field study programs for the National Learning Institute (INA) in Costa Rica and universities in the United States, including Nassau Community College in New York, Pepperdine University in California (where he was an associate professor) and Auburn University in Alabama.

He has taught tropical ecology courses and workshops at the One Earth One People international events, organized by the Woodleaf Outdoor School and Foundation in California, and lectured at several events, such as NSTA (National Science Teachers Association) conventions and bird festivals in the U.S.