Art and Conservation: Hummingbirds

Learn about community-based research on hummingbirds and what one person can do to enhance nature nearby. Learn about operation Ruby Throat and how to draw and paint hummingbirds!

About our Guest

DR. BILL HILTON, JR. was twice named South Carolina Science Teacher of the Year and was honored as the state’s Outstanding Biology Teacher. In December 2008 Discover magazine cited him as one of “50 Best Brains in Science” and one of ten top amateur scientists in America. He received his undergraduate in philosophy from Newberry College and advanced science degrees from Winthrop University and the University of Minnesota.

Bill helped launch the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics in Hartsville, SC where he served as charter biology instructor and director of student research.

In 1982, Dr. Hilton founded Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History, a 501(c)(3) non-profit research, education, and conservation organization on family property near York, SC, where he serves as Executive Director. An active field researcher, Hilton has banded more than 76,000 birds of 128 species during 41 years—just at Hilton Pond. He is one of only about 200 people authorized to capture wild hummingbirds and he has banded and released 7,000-plus Ruby-throated Hummingbirds at the Center, since 1984, with 3,000 more captured elsewhere.

During the past 15 years Dr. Hilton has led numerous citizen scientists on  Neotropical hummingbird field expeditions in Central America–all as part of his “Operation RubyThroat: The Hummingbird Project”.

Suggested donation: $20. Your donation helps support me and my family. Your generosity is deeply appreciated and it makes an immediate difference in my ability to continue to offer these programs. Click here to donate. If you are not able to donate at this time, no problem–please continue to enjoy the classes and find another way to pay it forward in your community with acts of kindness and service. Thank you!

If you are new to Zoom or are having trouble with the meeting controls, please see these notes and suggestions on Zoom Tips for Online Classes with John Muir Laws to help you get more out of the online workshop. When possible I will also make a recording of the workshop and post it on my blog. I look forward to seeing you there!

Bring

• Your Journal and favorite drawing materials. Taking notes while you watch and participate will help you remember the new techniques and incorporate them into your journaling.
• Your sense of humor!