San Francisco Dinner

"The Omega-Biodiversity and Natural Beauty of Indonesia: Past, Present, and... Future?"

Thursday, January 20, social hour 6 pm, dinner 7, show 8 - City Forest Lodge, 254 Laguna Honda Boulevard, San Francisco (across from Laguna Honda Hospital and downhill from Forest Hill Station; take Muni's K, L, M, or 43). Come early for street parking (no sidewalk parking please).

Indonesia probably contains more biodiversity than any other country on our planet. It has some of the world's most diverse rainforests, but also dry forests, savannas, and alpine grassland. It lies at the peak of the world's coral-reef diversity gradients and holds endemic species found nowhere else. New species turn up on nearly every survey.

The human context of this staggering biological richness is that Indonesia is the fourth most populous country, with an economy still struggling to recover from the Asian monetary crisis. This crisis, Suharto's fall from power, and a new program of political decentralization have resulted in an anarchistic assault on the country's biological resources. Just as Indonesia is biologically diverse, it is rich in places, races, religions, and outlooks, and there are many leaders and communities who are working hard towards the preservation of nature.

Cam Webb, B.A. from Oxford University, Ph.D. from Dartmouth College, associate research scientist at Yale University, and currently visiting scholar at UC Davis, has worked in Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries for over 15 years. His primary research is in forest ecology and botany, and he has been involved in numerous conservation and timber eco-labeling projects. Cam will explain how Indonesia's geography and history make it especially vulnerable to mass extinctions. He will attempt to review the conservation challenges facing Indonesia and will also suggest actions for U.S. citizens which he thinks may have a meaningful positive impact for Indonesian nature.

Reservations are required for the dinner (no attendance for program only). Mail check for $13.50 made out to "Sierra Club, S.F. Bay Chapter" to:

Barb Bourns
274 A Connecticut St.
San Francisco, CA 94107

Checks must be received by Mon., Jan. 17. Bring your own wine and soft drinks. Glasses and ice will be available. Let us know if you are a vegetarian. Questions? Call Barb before 9 pm at (415) 431-6054.