California’s Channel Islands are often referred to as the Galapagos of North America. They are home to many endemic plants and animals, along with more familiar denizens of the mainland like Bald Eagles. Join naturalist Ryan Dibala for an inspiring talk on the restoration of Bald Eagles on Catalina Island and Channel Islands National Park. Ryan will share his firsthand experiences working with these magnificent birds throughout California’s scenic archipelago. Learn about the challenges and triumphs of bringing Bald Eagles back from the brink of extinction, their vital role in the ecosystem, and the ongoing conservation efforts that continue to support their recovery in these breathtaking coastal landscapes.

Ryan Dibala, Ph.D., is a certified Master Naturalist, educator, and author of several
peer-reviewed articles on Ecology. He is the owner and chief guide at Birding Man
Adventures, based out of Arvada, Colorado. Ryan began birding sixteen years ago
when he worked as a wildlife researcher restoring Bald Eagles to Channel Islands
National Park. Enamored by wildlife, he moved to Costa Rica where he studied avian
distribution in Talamancan cloud forests and later found himself in Ecuador, where he
spent two years working on conservation projects as a Peace Corps volunteer. Ryan
returned to the States and received his M.S. in Biology from Ball State University
studying the settlement patterns of Cerulean Warblers. Aware of the crucial connection
between habitat conservation and species survival, Ryan later worked as a Forest
Restoration Consultant for an environmental non-profit in Panama. This led to an
opportunity to earn his Ph.D. conducting research on agroforestry at the University of
Missouri. Ryan has taught conservation biology to University students in South Africa
and Chilean Patagonia. He is an experienced backcountry guide and is fluent in
Spanish. His life-long passion lies at the intersection of education, ecology and
sustainable land use. He lives with his wife Angie and their dog Sushi in Arvada,
Colorado.

This is an in-person meeting held at the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Office located at 4255 Sinton Road 80907.
The classroom entrance is on the back (east side) of the building. The main door will be locked.
The meeting will also be broadcast via Zoom.

Snacks & Bird Talk (meet & mingle) 6:30pm
Meeting announcements 7:00pm
Program Presentation 7:15pm

photo credit: Ryan Dibala | Birding Man Adventures