California’s Biodiversity
Wednesday, January 21st at 6:30pm at Shindig Cider in SLO
Description: Did you know that the Central Coast, and nearly all of California are part of a globally-recognized biodiversity hotspot? California’s biodiversity is amazing, but many of us take it for granted. Michele will provide a PowerPoint presentation, starting with a description of biodiversity hotspots. She’ll make the connection between California’s biodiversity and the fact that California has one of the largest economies in the world. That’s right: the ecosystem supports the economy in California. She’ll also address what is being done to protect and preserve California’s biodiversity and how anyone can get involved. Join us for a biodiversity tour of California, learn what makes it so special, and why it must be protected.
About the Presenter: Michele Roest grew up in San Luis Obispo, where her father taught in the biology department at Cal Poly. Michele followed in her father’s footsteps and became a vertebrate ecologist, with a focus on marine mammals. She has an MS in Biology and an MFA in Creative Writing. Michele served as an education specialist for the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, and coordinated the Coastal Discovery Center at San Simeon Bay for more than 10 years. Currently, Michele teaches Biodiversity of California in the Biology Department at Cal Poly and a California Naturalist certification course through Cuesta College Community Education.