Madagascar...the topic of Garden University's February lecture conjures images of an exotic location. Paul Freed will be our speaker and will show amazing photos of the flora and fauna of this mysterious island. He will give us a chance to be an armchair traveler during this cold, wet time of year - dreaming of warmer, sunnier climates. Don't miss this chance to get to know Madagascar without having to travel half-way around the world!
About our speaker:
Paul Freed is a herpetologist who travels the globe seeking opportunities to photograph reptiles and amphibians. He retired from the Houston Zoo as the Supervisor of Herpetology after a 25
year career and moved to Oregon where he and his wife found paradise in the Pacific Northwest.Conservation and research projects have taken Paul to 35 countries where he has photographed over 2500 species of reptiles and amphibians. He has amassed an extensive photographic library documenting animals, people, and environments which surround and affect the lives of these interesting creatures.
His images have been published in National Geographic Explorer, Ranger Rick magazine, numerous scientific journals, popular reptile magazines, text books, and many others.
Paul is frequently a guest speaker at many herpetological and nature-oriented societies around the country and lectures on reptile and amphibian natural history and travelogues from his research expeditions.
In 2003, Paul wrote a book
Of Golden Toads & Serpents’ Roads which chronicled several of his journeys and featured his photographs.
Yellow Spotted Reed Frog Chameleon Pair of Brown Lemurs
A few things about Madagascar:
There are eight National Parks with additional dozens of ‘strict nature reserves’, ‘special reserves’, and private reserves.
80% of the plants are endemic (of 12,000 species, 1000 orchid species alone).
There are 150,000 species of invertebrates – 300 butterflies, 4000 moths (many are endemic as well). [Endemic = found nowhere else])
There are 375 species of Amphibians (all but 2 species are endemic); 425 species of Reptiles– (95% endemic); 270 species of Birds, (40% endemic - including five endemic families & 36 endemic genera); and 120 species of Mammals (90% endemic).
Garden University: Madagascar, the Real Treasure Island
Saturday February 26, 2011
1 p.m., Education Center at The Oregon Garden
Tickets: $15 non-members (includes Garden admission); Free for Garden Members
Call 503-874-2533 or email membership@oregongarden.org to reserve or purchase tickets.
