This program is presented by the International Owl Center. For more information and to register, please visit: https://www.internationalowlcenter.org/virtualexpert.html?fbclid=IwAR0kOm5aKSh4JqahxHct6r1s-oCBK1LBA2GvCqjJqDAt24c2Z1Rdc1elXU0

Owls in Myth and Culture - A Global Perspective
David H. Johnson, Director of the Global Owl Project
​Virginia, USA
​Sponsored by Karla Bloem's Facebook birthday fundraiser (Pamela Dimeler, Erin Dorbin, Charlene Ebel, Roseanne Yoakum, Michael Schmidt, Susan Oddsen, Teresa Thews, Sam Leigh, Ulrike Kantner)

Every society on earth has myths and legends about owls. What people believe about owls makes a difference in how they protect and conserve owls. So, what do people really believe? David and his team interviewed some 5,200 people in 26 countries, using a 4-page interview form translated into 23 languages. The answers gave remarkable and wildly varied insights about the current ecological knowledge and cultural perspectives about owls. They also examined the archeological, anthropological, and natural history data as well, to gain richer insights into the longer-term aspects of owls in many countries. They were able to document important changes in cultural beliefs in some countries, while there were no changes in others. Owls are viewed as very dangerous spirits who can take your soul (causing death) in Mali, while they are viewed as the Creator Being (created the earth) in north-central Australia. During their interviews, they uncovered substantial illegal trade in owl eggs and live owls in several countries. In this presentation David  will describe the methods, cultural insights, and powerful results of their findings. Attendees will find that this is a ‘deep dive’ into the cultural beliefs about owls. 

Originally a farmboy from Minnesota, David has worked in the natural resources field for 46 years. He began working internationally on owls in 2001. When camping at age 11, an Eastern Screech Owl landed on David’s pup tent. David was inside and the owl was outside, mere inches from each other. The owl called for 20 minutes, its shadow ‘vibrating’ in the moonlight with every call. Owls have been constant companions and friends ever since. David says: he didn’t pick owls, they picked him. He is the Director of the Global Owl Project. 

This presentation will be posted to our YouTube channel after it concludes.