Sunday and Monday at the Audubon Greenwich

Sunday, March 27
"Poultry for All" Event
With the film, ' Mad City Chickens'
2:00-4:30 pm

Raising chickens at home is getting more popular easier every year. Come be inspired to have your own coop and learn the basics of how to get started when Melina Brown, founder of the Southern CT/Westchester Backyard Poultry Meetup, and Derek Sasaki and Traci Torres, local experts and owners of Norwalk-based My Pet Chicken LLC, visit Audubon Greenwich to discuss the how-to of raising your own chickens and show some of the many unique breeds available. This event will include a presentation about what is involved with raising chickens in your backyard, a screening of the acclaimed film, 'Mad City Chickens', and ample time for Q&A.
 
Mad City Chickens is a sometimes serious, sometimes whimsical look at the people who keep urban chickens in their backyards. From chicken experts and authors to a rescued landfill hen or an inexperienced family that decides to take the poultry plunge—and even a mad professor and giant hen taking to the streets—it’s a humorous and heartfelt trip through the world of backyard chickendom.

Also check out the article about backyard chickens previously posted on this site.
 
Suitable for all ages. Tickets still available but RSVPs are greatly appreciated. $12/adult. Youth admitted free. National Audubon Society & Southern CT/ Westchester Backyard Poultry Meetup members enjoy discounted admission ($8/adult). Audubon memberships will be available on the day of the event. To RSVP, contact Jeff Cordulack at [email protected] or leave a message at (203) 869-5272 x239.
 
Monday, March 28
Africa’s Painted Dogs: Conserving African wild dogs in Zimbabwe  
A special guest lecture by Dr Gregory Rasmussen, Director and Founder of the Painted Dog Conservation project.

Reception: 6:00–7:30 pm
Lecture: 7:30– 8:30 pm
 
African Wild Dogs, also known as Painted Dogs, are one of Africa ’s rarest and most social carnivores. In the last century their numbers have declined 99% and there are now only 3000 - 5500 individuals remaining. They face persecution from many quarters, often being caught in snares, run over, shot or poisoned. Despite the difficulties studying this highly nomadic species, Dr Rasmussen spent years researching them in Zimbabwe , home of one of the last viable populations. In 1989, realizing that research alone would not save the dogs, he set up the Painted Dog Conservation (PDC) project (www.painteddog.org) near Hwange National Park . Dr Rasmussen will speak about his life with this intriguing species, their chances for survival and how PDC plays a vital role in the local community through conservation, education and employment opportunities.
 
Dr Gregory Rasmussen grew up in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe ) and obtained his doctorate at Oxford University in England . He is a member of the IUCN Canid Specialist Group, the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (also at Oxford University ), and is supported by the Wildlife Conservation Network, based in San Francisco . He was featured in the TV series “I Shouldn’t Be Alive” when his light aircraft crashed in Hwange National Park and he spent a day and a half alone in the bush with both legs and pelvis broken before he was found. After numerous surgeries he is once again able to spend time in the bush working to conserve Africa 's Painted Dogs.
 
Reception: 6:00-7:30 pm/Talk: 7:30-8:30 pm. $10 per adult will be given in support of the Painted Dog Project. Under 18 are free. RSVPs appreciated to Jeff:  203-869-5272 x239. Contact: Jeff Cordulack at Audubon Greenwich on 203-869-5272 x239.