11TH ANNUAL
SPRING BOREAL BIRDING & NORTHERN LANDSCAPES FESTIVAL

June 5 - 8, 2008

Artwork by Liz Sivertson

THURSDAY, FRIDAY, & SATURDAY FEATURED SPEAKERS & PROGRAMS During the Boreal Birding & Northern Landscapes Festival, two evening programs are offered to complement the field experiences that take place during the day. Participation in both evening programs is included in the tuition fee for each of the festival courses/seminars. The evening programs are also open to the general public but a small admission fee applies. Peregrine Falcons in the Midwest with Jackie Fallon The Bird Feed - Northern Arts Engagement for Birders, Geologists & Naturalists Alike With North Shore artist Liz Sivertson Owls of the North - Northern Ecology Featured Presentation With celebrated author and naturalist David Benson Each evening offers the opportunity to socialize (starting at 7pm), share updates from the field (7:15pm) and then enjoy an inspiring program (7:30pm).

Thursday Evening: Peregrine Falcons in the Midwest with Jackie Fallon Thursday Evening, June 5, 7:00 PM United States Forest Service - Gunflint Ranger Station** - Conference Room, Grand Marais ** 2020 West Highway 61 - near mile marker 108 The peregrine falcon has long fascinated people across the globe. Known for its dramatic migration and amazing flight, the story of the fall and rise of the peregrine falcon is the story of worst and best of our environmental stewardship. In the 1940s' an estimated 7000 peregrines could be found in the skies and on rocky crags throughout North America. By the 1970s this number had plummeted to just a few hundred. The culprit - a chemical pesticide called DDT. Restoring the peregrine has been a cooperative project involving many conservation groups and states. Over the years, more than 7000 young peregrines have been released into the wild throughout U.S. Today, the project is no longer releasing captive-bred peregrines, but monitoring continues. A newly urban bird, with nearly half of the pairs nest on buildings, smokestacks and bridges, biologists believe that true recovery for the peregrine falcon can be gauged by peregrines returning to the cliffs of Lake Superior and the Mississippi River. Jackie will bring a live peregrine falcon to the program. Profile Jackie is the Minnesota State Coordinator for peregrine falcons and the Vice-Chair of Field Operations for the Midwest Peregrine Society. Since 1989, Jackie has been involved with The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota, where she had her first "one-on-one" with a peregrine falcon named Maverick. In 2005, she was asked to assume primary responsibilities for the Minnesota peregrine falcon monitoring, and continues to coordinate all field aspects of peregrine recovery and field work in the state -all in a volunteer capacity. Jackie is currently employed at the Minnesota Zoo in the carnivore recovery programs. Friday Evening: The Bird Feed - Northern Arts Engagement for Birders, Geologists & Naturalists Alike With North Shore artist Liz Sivertson Owls of the North - Northern Ecology Featured Presentation With celebrated author and naturalist David Benson Each evening offers the opportunity to socialize (starting at 7pm), share updates from the field (7:15pm) and then enjoy an inspiring program (7:30pm).

Friday Evening: The Bird Feed - Northern Arts Engagement for Birders, Geologists & Naturalists Alike with artist Liz Sivertson June 6, 7:00PM Sivertson Gallery, Grand Marais Kick off the weekend with a warm and engaging evening at "The Bird Feed," a gathering that features spectacular North Shore desserts, abundant conversation and beautiful northern art at the Sivertson Gallery. Seeds and nuts will also be available. The inspired colorful and creative art work of Liz Sivertson, North Shore artist, will be featured during the evening. What can you expect?? Liz notes "I think this neck of the woods is starkly beautiful, ominously mysterious, and sometimes too dramatic to portray with paint....so I tend to look for comic relief, a bit of humor to take the edge off the sobering reality of this vast wilderness." Arrive ready to smile and eat cake! Profile Liz Sivertson has lived near Lake Superior most of her life and is a descendant of an Isle Royale commercial fishing family. Liz has spent the past 25 years painting a gutsy and whimsical view of this unique northern shore. Her most recognized subject is the wild characters that inhabit this grand place. Liz has a bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Minnesota of Duluth, and her images can be found at Sivertson Gallery, in both Duluth and Grand Marais. Saturday Evening:

Owls of the North - Northern Ecology Featured Presentation with author David Benson Saturday Evening, June 7, 7:00 PM North House Folk School, Grand Marais    Northern owls - magic, elegance, inspiration! This featured program welcomes naturalist and author Dave Benson who will explore the mystery of northern owls: where they live, how they live, and the most interesting details about their lives. Images from his recently released book, "Owls of the North: A Naturalist's Handbook," will take you on a journey into the world of northern owls. A book signing will take place following the program. Coffee and refreshments will be served. Profile Dave is a writer, guide, and naturalist from Duluth, Minnesota. His writing has appeared in "Birding," "The Loon," "Northern Wilds," and other publications. He has served as a naturalist at Hawk Ridge and at several state parks. His ornithological work includes conducting surveys for the Minnesota DNR, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibway, Grand Portage National Monument, and the USFWS Breeding Bird Survey.

Ready to explore another season? Learn more about the AUTUMN MIGRATION & SUPERIOR ECOLOGY SERIES North House Folk School offers year-round hands-on coursework, seasonal special events and numerous northern ecology field workshops. For more information contact: North House Folk School 218-387-9762 or 1-888-387-9762 P.O. Box 759 Grand Marais, MN 55604 Copyright © Boreal Birding & Northern Landscapes Festival 2008