CCA Skidaway’s seminar for Monday, October 14th features guest speaker John A. Crawford, aka “Crawfish”. Crawfish will take the podium at 7:00 PM at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 3 Ridge Road.
His topic for the evening is “A Dynamic Stability; Georgia’s Ephemeral Coastline”. His presentation will show how humans have cherished our southeast coast for thousands of years! He will be discussing the geological, physical and biological factors that have created the present coastal ecosystem that we all know and love. John will cover some of the human and political history that has both changed and preserved the low country. His presentation will be approximately 45 minutes followed by a Q&A session.
John was born and raised in Savannah, Georgia and has had a lifelong interest in all aspects of the natural world. From early childhood he spent his free time exploring the areas extensive forests, swamps, rivers and marshes and studied the organisms living there. A professional naturalist since age 14 he has pursued his life’s dream of exploration, research and teaching others about the wonders of Nature. These studies have included many uniquely wonderful habitats in the southeastern U.S. and beyond.
In 1973 John co-founded Savannah based Wilderness Southeast, Inc. one of the region's oldest environmental schools. Through natural history focused wilderness expeditions, field trips, lectures, and photography he has introduced many students, of all ages, to the wonders of subtropical ecology and the natural sciences. His research projects have included work with spiny lobsters, marine fish, alligators, snakes, diamondback terrapins, sea turtles and marine mammals. He was the resident naturalist, a member of the marine science faculty and research vessel captain at UGA’s Marine Education Center and Aquarium on Skidaway Island from 1988 until he retired in December 2020.
John has an infectious and easily shared enthusiasm for the natural world. Through his broad knowledge of natural history, extensive field experiences and observant eye he gives students an appreciation and understanding of the unmatched beauty and natural wonders of our southeastern wild places. He continues his involvement in a number ofongoing research projects, biological consulting and as scientific advisor to the Skidaway Diamondback Terrapin Rescue Project. He lives on the Isle of Hope with his wife Jeana. He is presently leading custom Natural History focused field trips and boat charters.
The CCA’s raffle prize for this month is a 3 hour exploration of our beautiful coastal areas. This will include salt marshes, tidal creeks and rivers and Wassaw Sound valued at $350.00
CCA is a non-profit organization with chapters on the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf Coasts. For more information about CCA of Skidaway contact Rick Tallon, 417-294-2002. For more information about CCA’s Georgia District, contact Tom Rood, 598-9753. For information about this month’s meeting and seminar, contact Paulette Hamilton, 610-509-0279. Area residents are invited to attend the CCA of Skidaway meetings and seminars held on the second Monday of the month at St. Peter’s Church.