Wildlife photographer launches series at Casa de Esperanza

Special to the Green Valley News

“Our Own Backyard -- Arizona,” a photo exhibit, power point presentation and book signing by professional wildlife and nature photographer Tom Vezo, will be the first presentation in a six-month educational series, “Know Your Backyard, Green Valley," at the Casa de Esperanza Community Center.

The presentation will be at 3 p.m. Jan. 11, and is free and open to the public.

Seating is limited. Please contact Sue Colley at 625-2273, ext 840 for reservations and information.

Vezo, writer and award-winning photographer, is widely published throughout the U.S. and Europe.

He is one of the top bird photographers in the United States but also photographs breathtaking landscapes, mammals, and other natural subjects, which all add to his library of over 400,000 images.

“Our Own Backyard - Arizona” focuses on the desert areas and animals of the state, including the Green Valley area, Vezo's home.

He will be the first of many noted professionals who will be sharing their expertise in the educational series at Casa which runs from January through June 2008.

The series, “Know Your Backyard, Green Valley,” is the outcome of a partnership with Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold - Sierrita operations in celebration of Casa’s 20th anniversary of exemplary community service.

The series features monthly topics of interest to Green Valley-area residents and includes speakers, films, day tours, author presentations/book signings, and documentaries. Presentations are conducted Fridays with varying days for tours.