Summer Speaker Series: A Conservation Success Story with Ryan Dibala

Join us at Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park for our summer speaker series, which will take place on the third Thursday of the month from June through September. Doors open at 6 PM with free bites and drinks provided! We have an incredible line-up of speakers, starting with the one and only Ryan Dibala. 

Ryan Dibala, Ph.D.—Birding Man—is a certified Master Naturalist, educator, and experienced tour operator based in Colorado. His journey in wildlife and conservation began 16 years ago as a researcher restoring Bald Eagles to Channel Islands National Park. Since then, he has studied avian ecology in Costa Rica, worked on conservation projects in Ecuador as a Peace Corps volunteer, and earned an M.S. in Biology researching Cerulean Warblers. Ryan later worked as a Forest Restoration Consultant in Panama before earning his Ph.D. in agroforestry at the University of Missouri. He has taught conservation biology in South Africa and Chilean Patagonia. Passionate about the connection between education, ecology, and sustainable land use, Ryan now leads a nature and wildlife tour company in Colorado, helping others discover and appreciate the natural world. 

Join Ryan for an inspiring talk on the restoration of Bald Eagles on Catalina Island and Channel Islands National Park. California's Channel Islands are often referred to as the Galapagos of North America. They are home to many endemic plants and animals, along with more familiar denizens of the mainland like Bald Eagles. Ryan will share his firsthand experiences working with these magnificent birds throughout California's scenic archipelago. Learn about the challenges and triumphs of bringing Bald Eagles back from the brink of extinction, their vital role in the ecosystem, and the ongoing conservation efforts that support their recovery in these breathtaking coastal landscapes.