First Friday (Adult+)
The Big Picture of Conservation

Friday, October 7, 2022
11:00 – Noon

$8 Adults
$6 Nature Center members
$6 Children 9 – 15

Reservations appreciated, walk-ins welcome.

Explore the local landscape through a conservation lens in this program by Twan Leenders highlighting the areas most in need of care and conservation.

Everyone has heard of endangered species, but how about endangered landscapes, habitats, and views? The Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy is developing a tool that will look at the region on a landscape level, analyzing various inputs to determine the spaces that need the most protection. This allows CWC to establish a ‘wish list’ to help prioritize conserving and protecting the most endangered species, sensitive habitat, and scenic views. This prioritization will also help protect areas that contribute most to climate resiliency and environmental equity.

Twan Leenders is a biologist from The Netherlands with a degree in animal ecology and life-long experience in conservation management. For more than twenty years his work with birds, mammals, plants and especially tropical amphibians and reptiles has taken him to various places on the planet. As a former researcher at Yale University’s Peabody Museum and other institutions he participated in many international expeditions that helped gather data to better understand and protect biologically important areas and their unique species and habitats. Before coming to western NY, Twan taught biology at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT, and went back into the ‘trenches’ of hands-on conservation research and education while leading the Science and Conservation Office of the Connecticut Audubon Society. After nearly ten years at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History, he now works as the Ecological Restoration Manager of the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy. In this capacity, Twan applies his expertise to our region, working to identify and preserve our most critical natural areas and species. And, since successful conservation depends 100% on awareness and support from the community, Twan is always engaged in outreach and education efforts that increase interest in the area’s exceptional natural assets and promote good environmental stewardship. 

COVID-19 Information:  To review ACNC’s most up to date COVID-19 protocols, please visit auduboncnc.org and read the COVID-19 Notice at the top of the page.