JOIN US THE FIRST WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH!

The Wildside Family loves staying in touch with all of our traveling family members, so we have designated the first Wednesday of each month as our Family Chat night.

Everyone is welcome to join in the chat and even suggest topics. Learn more about our Wildside leaders, what we have been doing during our "time off," the trips we plan to add to our schedule and more.

We want to do all we can to help you and all of our family stay upbeat and positive during this unprecedented time and beyond. So let's take some time together to share, to learn and to laugh!
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    Mandy Talpas
    Hawaii Birding Guide
    As a tremendous lover of birds and wildlife Mandy has dedicated her life to avian conservation. From the time she was a young girl she collected natural history observations in her backyard, volunteered at a wildlife rehabilitation and education center, and rescued many unwanted pet parrots. Mandy earned a Bachelor's of Science in Environmental Studies from East Stroudsburg University and began conducting countless environmental education programs as a Naturalist, a Lead Conservation Educator at an AZA accredited zoo, and a Bird Banding and Education Specialist at the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center.

    Mandy continued to broaden her scientific studies and field skills with the Ornithology Lab at Villanova University pursuing graduate school. Her passion for parrots led her to the remote forests of Manu, Peru, where she worked to save endangered macaws, as well as studying tropical ecology in Costa Rica, Mexico, Belize and Guatemala.

    Mandy is grateful to have embarked on a new life in Hawaii as a bird and nature guide and an avian field technician for Pacific Rim Conservation. When she's not outdoors she enjoys promoting traditional Arabic performing arts as a professional Near East dance instructor, entertainer, and event organizer. Mandy is also a proud board member of the Aloha Hawaii Parrot Association. She is eager to share her knowledge and enthusiasm of Hawaii's culture, history, wildlife, and most especially, its unique and fascinating birds.
  • 1595894270-eb37bf59ad94286c
    Wildside Family
    Each family chat will have some different Wildside leaders depending on availability. We may even have some surprise guests!