LPL TO HOST THE STANTON BIRD CLUB

The Lewiston Public Library will host The Stanton Bird Club’s President, Jeri Maurer, on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, with a talk entitled Birds and Flora of New Zealand. This free, public program will take place from 11:30 am to 12:30 PM in The Jeanne Couture Room on the first floor of the library.

This program is perfect for those who have dreamed of traveling to New Zealand but who don’t want to experience the 21-hour plane ride. This talk will highlight the birds and flora of a magical land ‘down under’.  In 2019 Jeri Maurer, President of the Stanton Bird Club, spent three weeks on the North and South Islands of Aotearoa, New Zealand.  New Zealand is a land of contrasts, with the Southern Alps, temperate rainforests, hot springs, and geysers. Come learn about flightless birds including moas and kiwis, one of which is extinct and one which is threatened with extinction, as well as many of the other birds only found on these incredible islands. In addition, she will highlight some of the plants only found there and briefly discuss the islands’ history.

The Stanton Bird Club was founded in 1919 and named after Dr. Jonathan Y. Stanton, a professor at Bates College in Lewiston. He taught ornithology and took Bates students on bird outings. The club was created not long after Jonathan Stanton’s death and was therefore named in his honor. The Club is made up of people of all ages and backgrounds, but they all share a love of nature, especially birds. Today there are around 300 club members, including about 20 Junior Naturalists.

The Lewiston Public Library is located downtown at 200 Lisbon Street at the corner of Pine Street and Lisbon Street. More information on this program is available by contacting the Lewiston Public Library’s Adult and Teen Services department at 513-3135 or LPLReference@lewistonmaine.gov.