Special People
Joy Cornette
I don't believe Joy Cornette has missed a single Natural History Field Studies class. After completing, literally, every natural history class offered, Joy decided to throw her hat into the ring as a volunteer. For the past 30 years Joy has instructed Biology and Physical Sciences at St. Francis High School in Sacramento. She has earned a MAT in Geology, a Community College Teaching Credential in Geology, Geophysics and Geography. In her new retirement mode and while serving as a volunteer, Joy strives to encourage all students to achieve a better understanding of our natural world and make sound choices relating to environmental issues. Her interpretation skills, especially in the field of geology, are masterful.
Joy Cornette @ Meiss Trail
Thank You Volunteers
Bill Wade @ California Delta
The focus of Natural History Field Studies, and the instructor, is not only giving students the best education possible but to provide unforgettable life experiences. This would not be possible without our very excellent volunteer instructors. Thanks to their valuable contributions, assisting students in the field, Natural History Field Studies participants get personal attention from top professionals during each and every wildlife tour.
We're fortunate to have Lora and Bill Wade, commonly referred to as the Bird Twins, volunteering their services. Combined, these two individuals have donated hundreds of hours of their valuable time helping students in the field.
Both individuals have impressive credentials. We refer to Bill as the E.O.Wilson of Sacramento. Piecing together his first "bug" collection at age 8, Bill began his extraordinary life as a naturalist. By age 11 a wildlife refuge at Lake Merritt in Oakland recruited him as a volunteer. At age 15, because of his high interest and expertise in insects, the California Academy of Sciences recruited Bill to Northern Guatemala and Southern Mexico on a collecting trip. The following summer, after competing nationally among high school-age students, Bill was one of two students selected as a research assistant at Portal in southeastern Arizona. After leading his first Audubon birding trips in the Bay area as a teenager, he has spent the past thirty-five years becoming an extraordinary birder; and incidentally, that "bug" collection has become one of the largest private collections of Scarab beetles in California. One particular species of Buprestid beetle, Buprestis wadei, bears his name.
We're fortunate to have Lora and Bill Wade, commonly referred to as the Bird Twins, volunteering their services. Combined, these two individuals have donated hundreds of hours of their valuable time helping students in the field.
Both individuals have impressive credentials. We refer to Bill as the E.O.Wilson of Sacramento. Piecing together his first "bug" collection at age 8, Bill began his extraordinary life as a naturalist. By age 11 a wildlife refuge at Lake Merritt in Oakland recruited him as a volunteer. At age 15, because of his high interest and expertise in insects, the California Academy of Sciences recruited Bill to Northern Guatemala and Southern Mexico on a collecting trip. The following summer, after competing nationally among high school-age students, Bill was one of two students selected as a research assistant at Portal in southeastern Arizona. After leading his first Audubon birding trips in the Bay area as a teenager, he has spent the past thirty-five years becoming an extraordinary birder; and incidentally, that "bug" collection has become one of the largest private collections of Scarab beetles in California. One particular species of Buprestid beetle, Buprestis wadei, bears his name.
We appreciate your time and effort!
Lora Wade armed with only 1% of her field gear
Lora keeps Bill out of trouble by dragging him to many organized data collecting trips, including Christmas Bird Counts all over California, the Lahonton Valley breeding bird census in Nevada and, of course, Natural History Field Studies tours. Along with being a professional computer programmer, Lora is a distinguished member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society for scholastic achievement. Her recent involvement with the Nature Conservancy, leading bird walks and doing slide presentations, demonstrates her impeccable dedication to educating people about the fragile earth. Her passion for working with people is deeply appreciated by all.
Greg Homer with native Mayan children @ Blue Creek Belize.
Greg Homer joined us on a morning walk recently. My niece and nephew, visiting from Austin Texas at the time, told me how impressed they were with Greg’s human qualities – “I really like that guy”, Megan said. Kyle enthusiastically agreed with Megan. Our friendship began in the early 80’s by coincidence when I recruited Greg’s talented wife Helen, to be the registered nurse on our first student expedition to Baja, Mexico. Greg would of course join us too. To this day, I recall Greg’s extraordinary interaction with students – his vast knowledge of natural history integrated with a compulsive humor and wit – which won the hearts of everyone on the trip. Over the years, the student trips (and personal expeditions) would expand to Australia, Central America and South America. Greg’s unselfish contributions to peoples lives; and our very close friendship remain priceless. Check out Greg's new retirement digs in Costa Rica: http://www.tanagery.com
