As part of the International Migratory Bird Day celebrations this year, the Potomac Valley Audubon Society and Shepherd University are co-sponsoring a talk featuring Dr. Eric Dinerstein of the World Wildlife Fund.

The talk, which is free and open to the public, will be at 7 p.m. at Reynolds Hall on May 10.

Dinerstein is the Vice-President and Lead Scientist for the Fund’s Conservation Science Program.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science has described Dinerstein as “a die-hard adventurer who has traveled the world practicing conservation on the frontlines – working on everything from snow leopards in northern India to tigers in Nepal to fruit bats in Costa Rica. He led the first team to identify every ecoregion on the planet and define the most biologically important of those, a framework called the Global 200 that now guides World Wildlife Fund’s fieldwork in more than 100 countries.”

Dinerstein’s new book, “The Kingdom of Rarities,” focuses on environmental factors that have led to unique habitats that harbor critically rare animal and plant species, and on conservation measures that can enhance these species’ chances for survival.

Prior to Dinerstein’s talk, there will be a “Meet the Author” reception at the Bistro 112 Restaurant on German Street from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Admission will be $15 for the general public and $5 for students. The event will feature heavy hors d’oeuvres and cash bar. Students must show IDs at the door. Reception tickets can be purchased at www.potomacaudubon.org/imbd.html. Pre-registration is required.

For more information, contact Sandy Sagalkin at 240-291-6465 or monsansagalkin@myactv.net or Ed Snyder at 304-876-5428 or esnyder@shepherd.edu.