Virtual Program
For many seabird species, the protection provided by their nests is critical for survival. Resistance to extreme heat and predators has always been a challenge, but with climate change, these challenges can be exacerbated especially as marine mammals move into their range and threaten these birds, their eggs, and their offspring.
One solution is to create and deploy ceramic nests that are safe and protective for these seabirds. An unexpected ally to conservationsits, Nathan Lynch, a professor of ceramics, designed, fabricated, and helped install ceramic nests for Rhinoceros Auklets, Cassin’s Auklets, Ashy Storm-petrels, Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, and Pigeon Guillemots around the world since 2010. Michelle Hester of Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge, a non-profit ecology and conservation organization, collaborated with Nathan on this research that has shown these durable nests have improved breeding for the seabirds. Bring your dinner, your drinks, and your questions!
All are welcome to attend this free event but RSVP is required.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
About our speakers:
Nathan Lynch was raised in Pasco, Washington an agricultural community in the shadow of Hanford Nuclear Power Plant. The futility of this environmental contradiction gave Lynch an acute sense of location and deep appreciation for irony. In the five formative years after graduation Lynch worked as the prop master for a local community theatre, the effects of which are still being realized in his current body of work. His concerns for political conflict and environmental upheaval are filtered through notions of absurdity, hand fabrication and the dramatic devices of storytelling.
As a sculptor and performance artist, Lynch has made collaboration and experimentation major components of his practice. Recent projects include Doubledrink - a two person drinking fountain for Headlands Center for the Arts, Dead Reckoning at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, and nest module design for the Wedgetailed Shearwater on Oahu . At the University of Southern California Lynch studied with Ken Price, and later earned an MFA at Mills College with Ron Nagle. Lynch is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Ceramics Program at California College of the Arts.
Michelle Hester is a co-founder of Oikonos. Michelle brings over 25 years of research and applied conservation experience throughout the Pacific.