Brian “Fox” Ellis

Brian “Fox” Ellis is an internationally acclaimed author, storyteller, historian, and naturalist. He has worked with The Denver Museum of Science and Nature, The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, The Field Museum and dozens of other museums across the country. Fox is a frequent keynote speaker at regional and international conferences including the International Wetlands Conservation Conference, National Science Teachers Association Conference and the North American Prairie Conservation Conference, et al. Fox has hosted, produced, researched and written several documentaries for PBS. He is the author of more than 30 books including three books of poetry, a series of biographies, History In Person, and a series of collections of folklore, Fox Tales Folklore. He has two collections of stories with lesson plans: Learning From the Land: Teaching Ecology Through Stories and Activities, and Content Area Reading, Writing and Storytelling. Many of his stories are also available on his podcast and Youtube channels, Fox Tales International and History in Person. Currently he is the Director of Membership and Outreach for the Illinois Audubon Society, where he edits our quarterly magazine.

Website: https://foxtalesint.com/

Contact

P.O. Box 209
Bishop Hill, IL 61419
bellis@illinoisaudubon.org
309-696-1017

Presentation Information

Title

Robert Ridgway: Can A Hobby Help Save Our Planet?

Subject(s)

Description

Join Illinois’ most pre-eminent bird man as he recalls the history of the Illinois Audubon Society. Hear stories that illuminate how bird watching grew from a hobby to a scientific discipline, creating a cadre of citizen scientists, encouraging the next generation of conservationists, and protecting habitat for future generations.
 Storyteller and Author Brian “Fox” Ellis portrays Robert Ridgway, telling the story of his journey across the western wilderness in 1868, when he was still a teenager, his life-long work at the Smithsonian Institution, and his friends who founded the Chicago Academy of Science. Ridgway was a student of Spencer Baird, who travelled with John James Audubon, who knew Charles Darwin. Ridgway’s research transformed ornithology, evolution and systematics.

Length

Flexible - 45-60 minutes

City or Area of Travel

Willing to travel statewide.

Fees

Flexible: For Illinois Audubon Society Chapters, just cover travel costs. For other organizations please ask.

A/V Needs

Presentation Materials

Download

Additional Information