Blackbrook Audubon hosts online program

Will feature Cleveland-area photographer and author Steve Cagan

Area photographer and author Steve Cagan will show guests to the Colombian Pacific coast rain forest on Feb. 16.

Cleveland-area photographer and author Steve Cagan will introduce Blackbrook Audubon guests to the Colombian Pacific coast rain forest area of El Chocó in a virtual program Feb. 16.

Starting at 7 p.m., he will describe the biodiversity of this natural treasure and the harm caused by mechanized gold mining and indiscriminate logging, according to a news release.

“His photographs also reveal how traditional human cultures are threatened by the violence of the Colombian civil conflict and criminal gangs,” Audubon Society said in the release. “Cagan will share how he contributes to community resistance to these threats with his camera.”

Anyone interested in hearing the presentation must register on the event page of blackbrookaudubon.org. A link will be sent to each registrant’s email address.

While the program starts at 7, Trevor Wearstler, the host and president of Blackbrook, will allow people into the meeting about 6:30 to familiarize themselves with the software features or to chat with other attendees.

Cagan has been practicing activist photography since the mid1970s. He has been working on his current project, “El Chocó, Colombia: Struggle for Cultural and Environmental

Survival” since 2003.

View examples of his work at www.stevecagan.com and socialdocumentary.net/photographer/ stevecagan.

As a local chapter of National Audubon Society, Blackbrook Audubon covers Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake counties. Follow them on Facebook for updates.