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| Volume 48, Number 3, Fall 1999 |
In August, a NCSWA kayak trip through Elkhorn slough south of Santa Cruz afforded members and their families an opportunity to enjoy this beautiful coastal wetland reserve. Winding through the quiet waters, NCSWA members learned about the area's natural history, while observing otters, sharks, herons, and other coastal flora and fauna. In September, Eugenie Scott, from the National Center for Science Education, outlined the history of the fight over teaching evolution in the classroom and explained how those who don't want evolution taught have changed their tactics in response to court challenges.
In October, Allen Fish, director of the Golden Gate Raptors Observatory (GGRO), led a field trip to Hawk Hill in the Marin Headlands. Fish discussed GGRO volunteers' efforts to observe, count, and band the raptors that migrate through this area north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Members who stayed late had impressive views of human raptors, as the Navy's Blue Angels performed in an air show over the San Francisco Bay.
The topic of the PSSWA meeting in September was the pros and cons of genetically modified foods. A panel of researchers and activists opposed to this process provided a lively evening. James Cook, research plant pathologist for US Department of Agriculture at WSU in Pullman and member of the National Academy of Sciences, discussed the promise of genetic engineering of foods. Goldie Caughlin, nutrition educator described the concerns of retailers, consumers, and manufacturers who work with both organic and non-organic but natural foods, regarding their inability to differentiate genetically modified foods and the consequent lack of choice. Craig Winters, an instructor at Bastyr University, and executive director of the Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered Foods, addressed environmental and health concerns of genetically modified foods. For information on future PSSWA events visit http://www.psswa.org.