Geo Series: Are Birds Dinosaurs?
to
Stratford Hall 483 Great House Rd., Stratford, Virginia 22558
Dr. Dolby, a nationally recognized ornithologist demystifies the evidence supporting avian evolution and pre-avian dinosaurs. He poses an interesting question and offers some background:
Tyrannosaurus rex at my bird feeder? It may be hard to fathom that the chickadee at your feeder is close kin to the mightiest predators to ever roam the earth. However, biologists have long suspected a historical relationship between dinosaurs and birds. Evidence supporting such links between animal groups can be difficult to find, but over the last two decades, troves of new fossils and a variety of new laboratory techniques have been rapidly piecing together the origins of birds. Can we settle the question: are birds dinosaurs?
Andrew Dolby, University of Mary Washington’s (UMW) Department of Biological Sciences, will review the evidence for this fascinating evolutionary story in an illustrated presentation and field observation. Dr. Dolby has been a UMW faculty member for 18 years and teaches courses in ornithology, ecology, and evolution. Additionally, he leads field trips to the Galapagos Islands and Panama and conducts field research on birds.
Schedule of Activities:
9:30: Event begins with refreshments
10:30: Following a Q/A and break, Dr. Dolby will lead a field observation on the grounds of Stratford focusing on the concepts brought up in the lecture
12:00: Event ends
Cost: $20 all ages welcome! Children 11 and under are free.
Space is limited - Contact Jon Bachman at 804-493-1972 or jbachman@stratfordhall.org to reserve your spot today!