I am available to teach classes on a variety of nature-related topics, such as birding, gardening, and nature photography. Some of my favorite topics include, but are not limited to:

• Attracting Winter Yard Birds
• Putting your Garden to Bed (winding down the season)
• Starting from Seed
• This Yard is for the Birds
• Gardening for Butterflies
• How to Grow Vegetables
• High Altitude Veggie Gardening
• Accent Your Landscape with Flowers
• Gardening in Containers
• Photographing your Garden
• Photographing Birds

I have a degree in Human Biology from Stanford University (1976), where I focused on field ecology and invertebrate zoology. I then spent a year at UC Santa Barbara’s School of Education (1978)  in order to qualify for my California teaching credential (K – 12, Life Sciences).I taught high school—biology, general science, earth science, and marine ecology—for several years in San Jose, California. Then I volunteered as a docent at the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

When we moved to Colorado, I trained as a Colorado Master Gardener. For eleven years I developed and taught classes, wrote newspaper and other articles, and answered gardening questions at the county extension help desk. I resigned my active status at the end of 2011 and am now officially a Certified Colorado Gardener. I also volunteer as a writer, newsletter editor, and board member of our local Audubon chapter.

Over the past few years I have shared my enthusiasm about birds, gardens, and photography with a wide variety of audiences. Senior citizens at an “independent living” facility are now growing flowers on their patios. Bird watchers are creating bird-friendly gardens. Gardeners are using their cameras to make lasting images of their prized perennials. New homeowners are saving time and money on their landscaping by doing it right the first time around. I must be doing something right, because I am frequently invited back to speak on another topic!

I would love to come and speak at your church group, club, civic organization, business, or other meeting. Contact me at Leslie@Mountain-Plover.com to schedule a presentation for your organization or business.