Cactus Expert to Present Educational Programs in Local State Parks

Morro Bay, CA - Cactus expert Derek Bowdery will give illustrated talks on the genus Ferocactus and other cacti during the month of February. Dates, times, and places are:

Sat., Feb. 17, 12:30 PM in the Auditorium of the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History. The auditorium will accommodate about 90 people. There is ample parking, but interested persons are advised to carpool and arrive with plenty of time to park. If the Museum is busy, it may be necessary to park at the State Park Marina and walk up to the Museum.

Sat., Feb. 24, 2:00 PM at the Pismo Nature Center adjacent to the Oceano Campground at Pismo State Beach. Parking and seating space are both very limited at this location. Those attending should plan to carpool. If the Nature Center fills up, the speaker has agreed to give an optional 2nd presentation at 3:30 PM the same day, which would allow time for late arrivals to walk the trails or enjoy the Pismo Native Plant Gardens.

Mr. Bowdery grew up in London, and became interested in plants at the age of 11. He became interested in cacti in the 1960s, joined the Cactus Society (UK) in 1970, and made his first visit to the US to see cacti in 1981. Following this, he took a 3-year course in botany. He raises Ferocactus and other types of cacti in his nearly ½ acres of green-houses near Norfolk, England. He has received several awards for raising cacti, and is the co-author of Ferocactus, a book of color photos and text on barrel cacti. He has donated a copy of this book to the Museum of Natural History library, and his stunning photos will illustrate his talks. The public is invited to these highly informative talks. Those with an interest in plants, and particularly cacti and other succulents, will find the presentations of special benefit.