Naturally Speaking Talks

2023

Flying Machines – Avian Adaptations for Flight – Biologist and science educator Sam Wynns is nerdy for birds. From their beautiful feathers, melodic songs, and silly dances she appreciates all things avian, but one amazing characteristic stands above all – their ability to fly. Join Sam as she explores avian adaptations for flight in this interactive, family friendly Naturally Speaking science talk.

What is Environmental History and What Can it Teach Us? – Join Ranger Cyrus Forman is an environmental historian, which means he investigates the past, present, and future of our ecosystems and the environmental movements that protect them. Join him for a live, virtual talk to learn about this fascinating topic and his work in the field. 

The Great Migration – Gray Whales from Alaska to Baja – Join marine biologist Sarah Taber as she discusses Gray Whales, and what one might expect to see as they migrate through San Diego on their way to and from their breeding/calving lagoons.

Cultural Resources of Cabrillo National Monument – What does the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, the Visitor Center Complex, and the view from Whale Watch Trail all have in common? Why, these are just a few of the Cultural Resources at Cabrillo National Monument! This talk will discuss these and more!

2022

Should I Stay or Should I Go: Range Shifts in the Tidepools – Join Anthony Truong, Ecologist at Cabrillo, for a presentation on species shifting their ranges as a response to climate change.

Building San Salvador –  Join Dr. Ray Ashley, President of the Maritime Museum of San Diego, for a presentation on the monumental undertaking of building a 16th century sailing vessel.

You are a Scientist: Exploration & Discovery with Community Science– Join vegetation technician and community science advocate Patricia Simpson as she introduces you to crowdsourcing for science, and learn about some amazing discoveries made by people like you.

Coastal Fog – A Lifeline for Native Plants– Join environmental scientist Taro Katayama and geoscientist Brent Wilder to learn more about the connection between plants and fog.

2021

Agaves and Bats: A Plant-Pollinator Love Story – Dr. Kristen Lear, bat conservationist,  spoke on agave plants and the bats that pollinate them.

Diversity, natural history, and conservation of San Diego’s Native Bees – Dr. James Hung discussed San Diego’s 700+ species of native bees, including a rare find right here at the monument!

North American Rocky Intertidal Zones – Stephen Whitaker, a Marine Ecologist for the U.S. National Park Service at Channel Islands National Park

Conservation of the Smaller Majority – Paige Howorth – Curator of Entomology at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Successful Pollination – Factors that Influence the Plants and Pollinators of Coastal Southern and Baja California – Dr. Sula Vanderplank – botanist and conservationist