NAVC Hosts "Life-Changing" World-Wide Environmental CE Expeditions

GAINESVILLE--Breathtaking natural beauty and once-in-a-lifetime encounters with animal species that are often near extinction characterize NAVC Expedition experiences. The third in a 2010 series of Expeditions took place in June, this time to the world-renowned animal sanctuary of the Galapagos Islands.
 
Dr. Douglas Mader, NAVC President and award-winning environmentalist/veterinarian noted for his work with sea turtles and other exotic marine and reptile species, described the trip and the others in the NAVC Expedition series as "life-changing--so much so that several participants in the Galapagos continuing education excursion have attended all three of the Expeditions hosted so far. "
 
"All of these NAVC Expedition experiences instill and renew a respect and awe of nature and the species that share our precious environment," says Dr. Mader. "In the day of the One Health initiative, the Expeditions bring home the intertwined nature of the health of humans, animals, and their environment." Dr. Mader, a native Ecuadorian naturalist, and Dr. Carol Walton, for whom this last Islands trip was her 49th, were the NAVC Galapagos Expedition faculty. Dr. Walton, a veterinarian who tried to spend as much time as possible in the jungle during veterinary school, loves the outdoors and teaching people about nature. She travels the world sharing her affinity for wild places and animals and is the cornerstone instructor of the NAVC Expedition series. On the Galapagos trip, continuing education sessions were scheduled every afternoon and evening aboard the luxury yacht that was home for attendees. Mornings consisted of trips to 2 to 3 islands each day. Participants snorkeled and visited with abundant terrestrial and avian animal species, which are not afraid of humans and thus will allow people to come up close and observe and photograph them.
 
Next in the NAVC Expedition series is the trip to the Canadian Tundra, October 30 through November 5, where participants will visit the famous polar bear "jail" and tour the Arctic aboard a tundra buggy. In addition to polar bears, which often come right up to the buggies, sightings include arctic foxes and hares, snowy owls, wolves, and caribou. Among the other adventures include a visit with an elderly native Metis woman who grew up as a fur-trapper's daughter; a dog sledding program and sled ride; and trips to parks, museums, and other local attractions. The Polar Bear Expedition is back by popular demand, after its rave reviews last year. There's one cabin left- -so hurry if you want to come along.
 
In 2011, NAVC Expeditions include those to the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador, June 11 through 19, and the Macaws of Tambopata trip, October 8 through 15. All Expeditions offer RACE-approved continuing education credits in the range of 24 to 40 hours (the Polar Bear trip will count for 24 CE hours and the Tambopata trip will count for 36 CE hours). Visit www.navc.com and click Expeditions for more information.