This program is brought to you by: Sequoia Audubon Society!!

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The Sweet Smell of Ecological Balance: Skunks and Their Roles in California Habitats

While skunks have an unenviable reputation in human communities, they are actually fascinating and resourceful critters (as well as being a major prey item for Great Horned Owls!). Everyone has seen (and smelled) a skunk at some point in their lives as naturalists, but our knowledge of this common mammal is shallow, due to an (entirely understandable) aversion to disturb or startle them. Come and learn from an enthusiastic teacher how to love these handsome stinkers!

Jen Hunter is the site Director for the University of California's Hastings Natural Reservation in Monterey County. A native of Seattle, she earned a Ph.D. in carnivore community ecology from UC Davis, and excels as both a research scientist and as a bio-enthusiast. She is spearheading programs to diversify the community of researchers using the UC Reserve system. Her Ph.D. research focused on how color and shape patterns affected rates of skunk predation.