Pam Swan         wildlife programs

                              Special wildlife presentations feature live animals, and can be suited to the

                              needs of your museum, school assembly, or teacher training.

To book a program call (510) 530-7826 or e-mail pamswan@pamswan.com

Careers With Animals

            "How can I get a job working with animals?"   Animal handlers hear this questions often,

        and there are many answers.  This class explores your options depending on your age,

        prior experience and interests.   45 min. class or 2 hour workshop with live animals.

Develop Your Skills as a Wildlife Educator

            This workshop is designed for those whose work with science or wildlife includes

        talking to the public. Science teachers, docents, rehabilitators and museum professionals

        often appreciate adding to their current skills in reaching an audience with their message.

        Discover some tricks of the trade in catching the attention of your audience and helping

        them to retain information while you have a good time teaching.  Can be taught as a

        2 hour workshop or a 4 part series customized for your organization.  

Living With Wildlife

        From raccoons in the attic to rattlesnakes in the woodpile to finding baby birds, this

        45 min. class addresses some of the common complaints from Bay Area residents

        who live near wildlife.   Learn what you can do to make life easier for you-- and for them.

Animal Research in the Field

        Take a close up look at some fascinating research going on around the world with a

        variety of animals.  Find out what scientists in the field are learning about the behavior

        of mountain lions, eagles, beavers, insects and other animals.  We'll also explore how

        ravens, dolphins and parrots communicate and process information in this 45 min. program.

Amazing Animals of the Bay Area

            Right outside your window are some of the most incredible animals on the planet.  This

        program teaches you where to look and how to recognize local animals such as bobcats,

        gray whales, eagles, snakes, hawks, bats, and many other fascinating locals.  Can be

        taught as a 45 min. class or 3 part lecture & field trip series.

Venomous Animals

             Rattlesnakes, tarantulas, killer bees-- the thought of these animals and others with venom

        is frightening to many people.  Learn the fascinating truth about these animals and others

        who use their deadly toxins to earn a living, and find out how you can stay safe if you do

        encounter them.  This 45 min. program includes live animals.

Endangered Species

           Over 100 species of living things became extinct today.  Tomorrow another 100 will disappear

        forever.  Learn why extinction has speeded up within our generation to 1000 times its natural

        rate, and meet some live animal in danger of becoming extinct.  We'll also discuss the success

        stories of animals who have come back from the endangered species list and are doing well,

        and you'll find out what you can do to help other species' populations recover.  (45 min. program)

Animal Mimics

            What owl pretends to have venom?  What insect pretends to be a snake?  What butterfly

        pretends to be poisonous?  What songbird pretends to be a hawk?  Find out how animals

        use deceptive behavior and protective coloration to survive, and meet a live animal with

        a deceptive little secret of his own.  (45 min. program)

Rainforest Animals

            Meet a live toucan and learn about their role in the complex and delicate world of the tropical

        rainforest.  Rainforest ecosystems may be closer to home than you think-- we'll also explore

        Pacific Northwest rainforest ecology, and give you some ideas about where to go and how to

        enjoy these beautiful natural areas responsibly.  (45 min program)

How Do They Do That?

            How does a snake eat something bigger than his own head?  How does an owl turn his

        head so far around?  How do animals find food in total darkness?  Find out about some

        strange talents in the animal world, and meet a live animal with a bizarre skill. (45 min. program)

ABC's of Raptor ID

        Learn to identify more than 20 species of eagles, hawks, falcons & owls that pass through

        the San Francisco Bay Area each year.   Find out a little about their biology and behavior

        and discover the hot spots for seeing them in local areas.  Can be taught as a 2 hour class

        or 3 part series of classes and field trip.

Tarantula!

        Each year thousands of tarantulas leave their nest at the same time and begin roaming the

        hills in parts of the San Francisco Bay Area.  Why don't we notice them?  What do they want?

        Are they dangerous?  Meet a live tarantula and find out the important role these animals

        play in our ecosystem and others around the world.  Can be taught as 45 min. program or

        3 hour class and field trip.

Creatures of the Night

            Nocturnal animals live in a world we rarely appreciate.  Each night when we go to bed

        they come out of burrows, nests and watery dens to hunt, mate and raise their young. 

        Learn how they survive in a world of darkness, and find out where and how to hike at

        night so that you can find owls, bats, bobcats, insects and other fascinating creatures

        that are most active after dark.  Can be taught as 45 min. program or 4 hour class

        and field trip using night vision binoculars and bat locater.                           

Bay Area Whale Watching

            The San Francisco Bay Area is right in the middle of one of the longest whale migration

        paths in the world.  Each year more than 20,000 gray whales pass by the golden gate on their

        way between summer feeding areas and winter calving lagoons.  Learn about their biology,

        behavior and dramatic comeback from the Endangered Species List.  Can be taught as a

        45 min. class with advice on booking commercial whale watching trips, or as a 2 hour class

        and all day field trip.