Judy Edwards and Eddy Edwards, presented a program titled “Wildlife of the Pantanal” on Saturday, March 6, 2010 at the Montgomery Town Library in Montgomery Center. The program was sponsored by the Northern Frontier Section of the Green Mountain Club and was part of the GMC's 18th Annual James P. Taylor Series. The Taylor Series consists of 15 presentations throughout Vermont each winter by different speakers who bring informative and entertaining topics on issues pertaining to wilderness adventure and natural history of mountainous and other wild areas all over the world.

Judy and Eddy Edwards are wildlife study and management professionals who work for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. They are based at the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge in Swanton, Vermont. The couple shared photos and stories of their eco-tour in the Pantanal in fall 2009.

The Pantanal region of east central Brazil is 210 square kilometers in size and is considered the largest wetland area in the world. Roughly the size of Delaware and Rhode Island combined, this grassland/forest ecosystem is almost completely covered with water during the rainy season. When the water subsides, many species of birds and animals return to their habitats. These include parrots, toucans, capybaras, jaguars, and cayman, to name just a few.

The Pantanal is often referred to as South America's version of the Sarengeti with more than 400 species of birds and mammals. The seasonal flooded wetlands makes the Pantanal one of the most desirable places to watch wildlife in South America. The area is considered the last stronghold for the endangered hyacinth macaw and a host of other endangered birds and mammals.

The audience included many members of the Northern Frontier Section of the Green Mountain Club from Montgomery, Richford, Berkshire and Enosburg. Several staff members from the Green Mountain Club headquarters in Waterbury Center also attended. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed judy and Eddy Edwards fascinating presentation which included Eddy's wonderful photographs, many stunning birds and mammals and insightful commentary and background onthe ecology of the Pantanal Region of eastern Brazil.

Many thanks to Sharon and Ken Whitehead for organizing Judy and Eddy Edwards' presentation.

- Vermont Outside Staff