The Annual Banquet will be a virtual experience again this year, so you must register in advance in order to participate on Zoom:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtd-GhqDstHNJ0EmJh8nz79rtk1E2PJf_w

Then, as usual, you will receive an email containing the link for you to use to join the meeting.

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Brief Bio:

Holly Merker, a Fellow of DVOC, has a background in art therapy, but today employs birds and
nature toward the same goal of facilitating well-being in her work as an environmental
educator and birding guide. Holly has worked as a professional birding
instructor for National Audubon, the American Birding Association, and
many other organizations. Passionate about connecting young people to
birds, she co-founded the Frontiers in Ornithology Association, and has
facilitated many young birder groups and teen birding camps. Dedicated to
bird conservation, she has been state coordinator/reviewer for the Cornell
Lab of Ornithology’s eBird Pennsylvania since 2005, and has been a two-term voting
member of the PA Ornithological Records Committee, as well as the
Committee Chair. Holly co-authored the book Ornitherapy: For Your Body,
Mind, and Soul (with Richard Crossley and Sophie Crossley,
Crossley Books, 2021) and is currently promoting the practice of
ornitherapy across the U.S. in workshops and lectures.  In her free time, Holly spends every possible
moment practicing ornitherapy herself, which she credits with helping her
defeat breast cancer and restoring her health mentally and physically.

Brief Description:

Watching birds is not only fun, but good for you! Learn why getting your daily dose of ornitherapy is just what the doctor ordered…. Ornitherapy, or the mindful observation of birds, benefits our mind, body,
and soul.

We’re pushed and pulled in many directions, no matter our age.
This can be tiresome; but if we allow birds and nature to slow us down, then we
can be self-medicating. Research shows that exposure to nature actively
reduces stress, depression, and anxiety, while helping to build a stronger
heart and immune system. Learn why birds are truly heart-healthy! Birds
are gateways into deeper experiences with nature, magnifying these
benefits. Through observation, we can learn not only about birds, but gain
insight into our own lives while exploring our connection to the world
around us. This fosters stewardship and bolsters efforts toward conservation.
In this program, we’ll delve into our connections to birds, learn how to
practice ornitherapy for optimal benefits, and learn about the latest research on the power of nature for overall wellbeing. Watching birds can bring you more than just the enjoyment!