Friday, October 2nd: Congers Lake Community Center – 6 Gilchrest Road, Congers, NY
Doors open for refreshments at 7:00. Program begins at 7:30. 
Presented by: Ed McGowan, PhD, NY State Parks

Sometime in the early 1970s, a new animal pushed south into the lower Hudson Valley for the first time. More robust than a western coyote yet smaller than a wolf, the eastern coyote (aka brush wolf, coywolf, woyote, and coydog) encountered a land of opportunity with few competitors.
Some 50 years later, the eastern coyote occupies every available niche in the Hudson Valley from remote backcountry forests to urban parks. They exist ghost-like on the margins of our vision, secretive and seldom seen, while serenading us at night with haunting yips and howls.
Come learn about these highly intelligent animals, how they have adapted to our modern world and what genetics tell us about their fascinating origin story.

A lifelong naturalist, Ed McGowan received a B.A. in Biology from Bowdoin College and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Binghamton University. From 2005-2024, he served as Director of Science for the Palisades Interstate Park Commission and Director of Trailside Museums and Zoo at Bear Mountain State Park. He is now an Assistant Manager for Environmental Stewardship with NY State Parks.