Selected by the jury for the exhibit " We're Back!" at the Ironwood Gallery September 7 - November 3, 2024 at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson Arizona.

"I was inspired by the stories about pelican recovery efforts, and by the awkward elegance of the birds themselves. I love how they remind us of strange prehistoric creatures up close, but with beautiful grace and power in the air. "

The pelican survival story was of particular interest to me, as evidence of the lasting legacy of Rachel Carson, and her book 'Silent Spring.' Carson's message encouraged others to take action for change. There was a ripple effect influencing changes in legislation about pesticides. She influenced a significant shift in the way many people, including my own father (a chemical engineer), began to think about our own place in nature." 

 Banning DDT helped bring this entire species of birds back from the brink of extinction. Pelicans still face many hazards, but they remind us of the potential for rebound that starts with basic awareness of interconnectedness and the importance of caring for our environment.