Join us Tuesday, February 13th from 6 pm - 7:30 pm for a presentation by Dr. Donald R. Owen at the Redding Public Library Community Room

Don will start his talk with an overview of native bark beetles and their impacts, including their response to climate change. He also will explore the concept of “pest” using bark beetles and some lesser-known forest insects as examples. Finally, he will talk about some local insects with fascinating life histories – insects that can be observed simply by stepping outside and being observant.

Don is a retired Forest Entomologist with degrees from Penn State and UC Berkeley. At the start of his career, he worked for the USDA Forest Service in New Mexico, Alaska, and California. In 1991 he switched permanently to the CA Dept. of Forestry and Fire Protection, where he served as Forest Heath Specialist and the Department’s lead on forest insects. He has a broad background in forest insects and diseases, both native and invasive, and their impact on forest ecosystems.

He enjoys exploring the lives of insects through photography. His photographs appear on the FORESTRY IMAGES website and have been featured in publications of the Entomological Society of America.