A Night at the Museum

By Poppy Benson, Vice President for Outreach,
Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges (AK)

Marie McConnell of Sterling and Meg Parsons of Anchorage share a laugh while setting up the Friends table. Both said how much fun the night was. Meg reported, “We were talking to people the whole time.” | Ryan Peyton

“Whoever thought of this was a genius,” said Meg Parsons, Friends Outreach Committee, about the pairing of artists and conservation groups at the Art and Conservation Night at the Anchorage Museum on December 13. The public event, which also featured speakers and refreshments, was part of the annual Alaska Bird Conference. Meg said it was a great success for Friends in terms of numbers of people talked to, enthusiasm, new members recruited (5, including a renewing member), and publicity for the Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival. Meg said there was “LOTS of interest in the Festival,” which Friends cosponsors annually with the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge.

Exploring the role of art in bird conservation was a goal for the evening. The art was tempting, and this beautiful raven went home with Marie | Marie McConnell

Marie McConnell, another Outreach Committee member, said, “I get more out of being there than I put into it. Love volunteering for Friends.” She added that “people wanted to support us, and it was fun talking to the other conservation groups and the artists.” The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service also had a booth educating on the dangers of lead shot and sinkers for loons.

Click here for more information about this event!