In the early 1970s, scientist George Divoky discovered a small seabird colony on Cooper Island, off northern Alaska. He has studied it annually since then. Providing additional nest sites allowed the colony of Mandt’s Black Guillemots to expand rapidly to over 200 pairs in the late 1980s. The colony then began a long-term and ongoing decline as warming reduced the guillemots’ sea ice habitat. Five decades after its discovery, the colony has been reduced to its original size. Join Friends of Cooper Island to hear a review of the last five decades, why continuing their research is more important than ever, and the details of an exciting 2023 field season.

The evening will begin with an in-person reception starting at 6:00pm before a 7:00pm presentation (in-person and virtual) that will include a short preview for a documentary about the Cooper Island work that will be released later this year. Attendance is free; registration not required.

Presented by Friends of Cooper Island. For questions about the event, please contact info@cooperisland.org.