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Cedar Crest Retirement Community
Janesville, WI 2015 |
As a young girl in middle school, I remember the terror that was speech class. I wasn't overly shy by any means, but the prospect of standing in front of the class and talking always put me in a panic. Never in a million years could I have pictured myself decades later as a wild bird speaker/presenter.
I guess I have to give some credit to my 10-year stint in a tv newsroom for easing my fears of public speaking. I was often tapped as an "extra" for news promos, and being around extroverted personalities certainly helped me gain confidence. I eventually realized that something was missing and left the newsroom to pursue my love of art and nature. I picked up a paint brush after many years and became an accomplished watercolor artist, specializing in bird and botanical paintings. I even had some of my bird illustrations published alongside those of John James Audubon in the book
"Wings of Mercy". That was a personal highlight for me!
Unfortunately, we all know the plight of the "starving artist". Eventually financial constraints forced me to seek additional employment, which I happily found working in the lawn and garden industry. I worked for another decade as a sales representative, specializing in wild bird feeders and garden products.
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| "Birdscaping" Presentation at Waterford, WI Library 2014 |
Having enjoyed feeding the birds all the way back to my newsroom days, I eventually became quite knowlegeable in backyard birding...even offering to do presentations for some of my garden center customers. The first couple of times I stood before a group of people, I had butterflies in my stomach. Before long, my passion for birds overwhelmed my fears, and I was ready to fly!
I began to realize that I had knowledge that could help others become more successful in attracting birds, but more importantly, I had found my passion. Each time I finished a presentation, I felt a rush of energy and accomplishment that I got no where else, and a self-proclaimed "
bird nerd" was born. I have done presentations at local home and garden shows, garden centers, garden clubs and recently led a garden walk at the
The Boerner Botanical Gardens in Hales Corners, WI.
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Garden Walk - Boerner Botanical Gardens
Hales Corners, WI 2015 |
I am available to do presentations on backyard birding and "Birdscaping".
I have experience with all of the following:
- Garden Centers
- Garden Clubs
- Youth Groups
- Senior Living Centers
- Women's Clubs
- Botanical Gardens
- Public Library Education
- Consumer Lawn & Garden Shows
I also have programs available on attracting orioles and hummingbirds and I can customize a Power Point presentation for your particular club, business organization. Click the link below for more information:
Public Speaking Info.
