A Bird Who Sat in Fire: Thursday, September 18, 6:30pm.
Join The Horicon Marsh Bird Club on Thursday, September 18th, 2025 at 6:30pm at the Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center for a program featuring Blake Richard of the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). The meeting is open to the public and is held at the Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center located at N7725 Highway 28, Horicon, WI.
Mr. Richard will present his experiences as a project volunteer with USFWS in Utqiagvik, Alaska. His professional work has focused on the conservation of endangered Steller’s and Spectacled Eider ducks, while his time in Alaska provided unique opportunities for observing rare birds, encountering polar bears under the midnight sun, experiencing snowfall in July, and participating in local cultural events such as nalukataq. The Inupiaq name for Steller’s Eider, Igniqauqtuq, means “the bird who sat in fire.”
Originating from Wisconsin and raised near the Ruffed Grouse Capital, Mr. Richard developed a strong connection to wildlife from a young age. Summers spent on the Rock River and autumns hunting in Spooner, WI played an influential role in his appreciation for natural resources. Before joining the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, he attended Northland College and gained valuable experience working in Alaska with Ducks Unlimited, the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, and USFWS. His passion for avian species, particularly waterfowl, and dedication to conservation continue to grow, complemented by interests in photography and writing.
This meeting will be available in person and on Zoom. If you would like to attend on Zoom, you will need to register first at: https://us02web.zoom.us/…/register/oOL5pQSaSy2LwIpkyAi4yg