*Black River Audubon Presents Three April Programs* * (Please note program locations)* *The Jack Smith Outstanding Speaker Series* will feature Brian “Fox” Ellis on April 1st, 2 pm, at the *French Creek Nature Center*, *4530 Colorado Ave, Sheffield Village*. Mr. Ellis, a nationally known interpreter and storyteller, will be taking on the persona of John James Audubon for his program “*Sharing the life of John James* *Audubon”**. * * Ellis* portrays Audubon in this entertaining and meticulously researched monologue drawing from Audubon’s journals, essays, and letters to his friends and colleagues. In both performances, Fox will introduce the audience to the basic science skills of field observation, species classification, and bird behavior studies. He will explore the concepts of migration, habitat, niche, and adaptation. Fox will explain Audubon’s techniques of painting to help students develop field observation and scientific illustration skills*. Be sure not to miss this informative and entertaining program.* The Black River Audubon Society welcomes field biologist and member Andy Lance as he presents his program *“Incorporating Native Plants in an Urban Landscape”* on April 4, 7pm, at *Sandy Ridge Reservation*, *6195 Otten Road, North Ridgeville*. Lance has worked with the Cleveland Metroparks as a field botanist and also taught ecology and biology at LCCC. His talk will provide invaluable information on the importance of including native plants in our own backyards. On April 25, *Black River Audubon and Firelands Audubon* will welcome Dr. Bernie Master as he presents his program *“World Birding”* at *Ritter Public Library, 5680 Liberty Avenue, Vermilion* at 7 p.m. Dr. Master, an internationally recognized conservationist, has a Life List that includes over three-quarters of the world’s bird species, a total in excess of 7,800 birds. A previously unrecorded song bird in Columbia, the *Vireo masteri, *or Choco Vireo, is named for his family. In addition, Dr. Master, a distinguished health care professional, pioneered the first managed-care company in the country, serving Columbus and Dayton’s Medicaid patients. The Columbus Education Association honored him with the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award in 1995. Dr. Master’s book, *“No Finish Line”* will be available for sale after the talk at a special discounted price. Copies can also be purchased on Amazon.com. *All of these programs are free to the public. For more information on programs, volunteering or becoming a member, visit www.blackriveraudubon.org <http://www.blackriveraudubon.org>.* ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Please consider joining our Society, at www.ohiobirds.org/site/membership.php. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: listserv.miamioh.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]