Join Morro Bay Museum of Natural History for “Mind Walks”

Morro Bay, CA - The Morro Bay Museum of Natural History in Morro Bay State Park will offer "Mind Walks" for the public in the month of March 2007. All programs take place in the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History auditorium, from 10:15 AM to 12:00 noon.
Mind Walk Topics for Mondays in March 2007

Water! Water! Part II
Mar. 5, 2007 10:15AM - Noon
Water resource development has been an important element in the formation of San Luis Obispo County. Part I of this series, presented last year, gave a history of water development in the County prior to 1900. At that time, technological advances enabled people to drill deeper, store flood flows, pump more water, provide better quality water, and transport water further. This resulted in more cost effective irrigation and increased domestic water uses and reduced flooding. The two "world wars" were catalysts for water development. "Water! Water! Part II" will discuss how these technologies and events impacted our County from 1900 until 1970.
Biography: Tim Cleath is a state certified hydrogeologist who has provided consulting ground water and geologic services to the property owners and agencies of San Luis Obispo County since the 1970's. He also serves as a volunteer on international water projects with Lifewater International, a local non-profit organization.

The Summer of Change
Mar. 12, 2007 10:15AM - Noon
Bob Field has proposed to develop a county wide informal science education project in 2009 called the "Summer of Change" in order to promote docent-led walks and talks in local state parks. The project features the "Natural History of the California Coast" with an artistic photography exhibition in the Hearst Castle National Geographic Theater lobby, a "Natural History of Planet Earth" poster exhibit in the museum, and new docent-led living natural history programs.
Biography: Bob Field has been a walk and talk docent for nine years and served as science education coordinator to the walk docent committee. He has been an adjunct physics professor at Cal Poly for over six years where he supervises student projects and has developed an advanced physics course on the structure and evolution of the oceans, atmosphere, solid Earth, Sun, and biosphere. Bob is developing an informal science education project called the "Natural History of Planet Earth."

Insects Can Drive you Buggy
Mar. 19, 2007 10:15AM - Noon
Dennis Sheridan will discuss local commonly seen insects of the area and how they play a role in the ecosystem. He will also show examples of world-wide insects and their unique place in nature. There will be hands-on insects to admire and handle at the end of the talk.
Biography: Dennis Sheridan has served on the Natural History Association Board of Directors, and he was the first president of the NHA Docents. Dennis is a professional photographer and entomologist who has traveled worldwide and is published in many journals and textbooks. A native Californian, he was born in San Mateo and raised in Arcadia. He graduated from Cal Poly Pomona in 1973 with a degree in biology, specialty entomology. Dennis moved to Morro Bay in 1974 and began a career in photography, concentrating on native wildlife, as well as fungi, lichens, insects, wildflowers and California scenery.

San Luis Obispo County History: A Snapshot
Mar. 26, 2007 10:15AM - Noon
The program will discuss, in photographs, the history of SLO County from the mid 19th century up to World War II.
Biography: Ron Clarke is a native resident of San Luis Obispo County. He has lived in most parts of the county at different times of his life but he continues to be amazed at the rich history San Luis Obispo County possesses.