North Cascades Institute is pleased to present author and field biologist Thor Hanson at the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center on March 24-25 to kickstart their 2012 Sourdough Speaker Series. Thor will present from his book Feathers: The Evolution of a Natural Miracle, which won the 2012 Pacific Northwest Booksellers Award and 2012 AAAS/Subaru Prize for science writing. In Feathers, the San Juan Island-based conservation biologist blends his own field ornithology experiences from Africa to Antarctica with the work of paleontologists, biologists, engineers, art historians and even fashion designers to offer an engaging narrative of the natural and cultural history of feathers.

Sourdough Speaker Series presentations begin Saturdays around sunset with wine and hors d'?uvres on the deck of the Learning Center's lakeside dining hall before moving inside for an informal gourmet dinner of primarily local and organic foods. A reading and slideshow presentation by Mr. Hanson will follow, with ample time for questions, discussion and book-signing. Following Sunday morning's continental breakfast, the Institute offers a naturalist-led activity to get you outdoors exploring the wild and scenic Diablo Lake neighborhood. The cost is $105 per person based on double-occupancy or $95 for triple-occupancy. All proceeds benefit summer youth activities in the North Cascades, so eat, drink and learn about birds and the art of flight for a good cause!

More information and registration at http://ncascades.org/signup/programs/thor-hanson-and-feathers-the-evolution-of-a-natural-miracle or (360) 854-2599.