Wetlands are highly productive ecosystems that support aquatic AND terrestrial plants and animals.  They provide nesting habitat for many species in the summer and resting/feeding habitat for migrating waterfowl and passerines in spring and fall.  This presentation showcases iconic wetland species like Egrets, Herons, Ibis and Rails along with raptors, waterfowl, warblers and more.  There is even a bonus section presenting insects, reptiles, amphibians and mammals that make their homes in wetlands. 

Matt Valencic has been interested in birds and other wildlife most of his life but did not start photographing them until 2006. He retired in 2015and shortly thereafter met some members of the Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland. He felt an immediate bond with them and their mission of education and land stewardship. His catalog of bird pictures soon became the content of several presentations about the birds of NE Ohio and their habitats.

Matt helps direct the education outreach of this chapter and is a member of the Sanctuary Committee and the Board of Trustees. His favorite pastime is pursuing and photographing birds in Geauga County, in the hope of better pictures for his talks. He and his wife Patti live on an 8 acre “hobby” farm in Geauga County with their two horses and a large vegetable garden. They have 3 adult children and 9 grandchildren, and he is always grooming those grandkids into future bird watchers, gardeners and nature nerds.