Gualala Arts Lecture Series presents:
Whales: Touching the Mystery

with naturalist and author Doug Thompson
Thursday, April 1, 2010, 7:00 p.m.
Admission is $5

Update: 3/31/10 Doug Thompson will not be available, in person, as a speaker due to a family illness, but we are planning on showing his DVD and we are working on additional content for the evening.

Gualala Arts will kick off the 2010 Whale and Jazz Festival with a lecture extraordinaire by Doug Thompson from The SummerTree Institute, a non-profit organization that provides expeditions and natural history experiences.

Doug Thompson is an accomplished writer, ecologist, internationally recognized naturalist, expedition leader, lecturer, award-winning filmmaker, photo-journalist and above all, a man at peace with the planet - dedicated to keeping our Earth the best it can be. Doug's refreshing viewpoint and inspiring lectures are welcomed time and again by universities, corporations, world-class resorts and retreats.

Doug has organized and led over one hundred long-range natural history expeditions, from Mexico to New Zealand, hosting some of the world's most influential leaders and decision makers. As a marine naturalist, he has enjoyed worldwide credibility as a leader in experiential research with whales, dolphins, and other marine life.

Doug has developed hundreds of hours of natural history programming with national award-winning producers and celebrities including Shari Lewis and the National Emmy-winning James Deckard. A $5 admission charge will be collected at the door; the lecture begins at 7:00 p.m.

" ... a wealth of experience and knowledge."
The Cousteau Society

" ... environmentalist extraordinaire."
The Los Angeles Times

" ... exceptionally knowledgeable and motivating speaker."
Director of Research Sponsored Projects
California State University at Los Angeles

" ... Doug Thompson not only has superb documentary footage of wildlife, but he also provides outstanding narration."
Point Reyes National Seashore Park, CA

" ... Ecologist Supreme, credentialed naturalist, writer, award-winning documentary film-maker, photojournalist, lecturer, hot storyteller... above all, a man at peace with the planet."
The Orange County Register

Doug Thompson has led expeditions into Mexico with the now "friendly whales of San Ignacio Lagoon" for over twenty-five years and was one of the pioneers of close encounters with whales. These five-day expeditions remain one of the most successful examples of eco-tourism where the local people and the whales both benefit from our efforts.

The Gualala Arts Center, located at 46501 Old State Highway in Gualala, CA,
is open weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and weekends from noon to 4:00 p.m.
Please call (707) 884-1138 for more information, or email info@gualalaarts.org.

Serving the coastal communities of northern Sonoma & southern Mendocino Counties.