Ten Days Immersed in Nature while Reflecting on the Clashes of Culture, History, Politics, and Climate

During July of 2023, John Hannan led a BirdLife International tour with author and poet Margaret Atwood from Iceland to Greenland. For fourteen days, the group sailed through remarkable natural environments and stunning landscapes. Together, they witnessed wildlife that is — without the crucial interventions of organizations like the BirdLife Partnership, which includes National Audubon — perilously close to disappearing forever.

With imagery and dialogue, John will discuss how this expedition used hikes, wildlife viewing, visits to Inuit communities, historic sites, and Zodiac cruising to gain special insight into these unique lands, their peoples, rich cultures, and the wildlife they share there.

Come to see the beautiful imagery of arctic landscapes and wildlife under the almost 24-hour summer sun. Reflect upon the complicated relationships of Inuit and European cultures made even more complex by current geopolitical trends. Learn more about the rapid changes the Arctic region is experiencing with climate change.

John will discuss visiting Reykjavík, Iceland’s cosmopolitan capital, which was established in the year 874 CE. This city, powered by geothermal energy, is widely considered one of the cleanest, greenest cities on Earth. View images of crossing the Denmark Strait, a major migratory pathway for marine animals and seabirds, riding zodiacs through sea ice searching for polar bears, seals, and birds, and then landings for more birds, historic sites, and learning about Inuit culture.

John Hannan is a 40-year veteran of the non-profit world, most of it in the conservation sphere. He has been a part of the Audubon family at all levels. On staff, at National Audubon, he helped launch the Americas Flyways’ Strategy fund-raising efforts and was part of the planning team for the Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Conservation Business Plan.  In NY, he is a past Chair of the Audubon NY State Chapters’ Council and a past and present President of the Bedford Audubon Board of Directors.

From 2017 to 2024, he worked with BirdLife International, building awareness and support for the Partnership’s coordinated global conservation programs. Now retired, he is helping build local awareness of how migratory birds truly bring an environmental connectivity we all share across our planet and how important it is for all of us to protect these fragile natural resources we depend upon.

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The unique and iconic forest birds of Hawaiʻi are facing an immediate extinction crisis. Found nowhere else on Earth, at least 12 species are threatened with imminent extinction in the next few years from habitat loss, invasive species, climate change and disease, such as avian malaria spread by mosquitoes.

Hawaiian forest birds are an integral ecological and cultural component of the Hawaiian Islands. These birds reflect the health of forests and represent cultural connections between the Native Hawaiian Community and the islands. The loss of these species compromises the integrity of unique ecosystems as well as the natural and cultural heritage of Hawaiʻi.

Join us when we welcome Jackie Guadioso for a program about the what is being done to preserve these special forest birds.

Jackie has 19 years of experience in avian field work and conservation, of which 16 years of this experience is with native Hawaiian forest birds. She holds a M.S. degree in Conservation Biology and Environmental Sciences from the University of Hawai’i at Hilo.

Her past research and experience spans the topics of native Hawaiian forest bird conservation including ecology and morphology, endangered bird propagation, avian reintroductions and translocations, avian point-count surveys, and introduced avian disease and ectoparasites. Most recently in Hawai'i, she was the project coordinator for the reintroduction of the Hawaiian Crow or ‘Alalā on Hawai'i Island.

Since relocating back home to Connecticut, Jackie is now the Outdoor Adventure Coordinator for the City of New Haven Parks Department where she is leading a team in providing access and opportunities for the local community to enjoy outdoor activities and environmental education within the parks. She enjoys spending time with her 10-year-old daughter, Kāhea, traveling, surfing and camping

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