BY RECORD STAFF

In 1947, Robert Porter Allen, ornithologist and Audubon member, searched for the elusive nesting area of the dwindling whooping crane population in the Canadian wilderness.

With the help of the Canadian Wildlife Society, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and National Audubon Society, Allen and his team were able to find and protect the breeding area, thus bringing back the cranes from the brink of extinction and creating the incentive for the Endangered Species Act.

Kathleen Kaska, author of the recently published nonfiction book, “The Man who Saved the Whooping Crane,” will present the story of Robert Porter Allen at the Whidbey Audubon Society meeting Thursday, Nov. 8, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, located at 20103 Highway 525, north of Freeland.

Socializing begins at 7 p.m., the meeting is at 7:15 p.m. and the program begins at 7:30 p.m.

Kaska’s books will be available for sale at the meeting.

After graduating from University of Texas at Austin with a degree in physical anthropology, Kaska taught middle school science for 25 years. She was a staff writer for AustinFit magazine from 1997 to 2002.

She has written the award-winning Sidney Lockhart mystery series as well as articles and stage plays. She is also a frequent contributor to Texas Highways magazine.

When not indulging in her love of wanderlust, Kaska splits time between her two favorite places, the Pacific Northwest and the Texas coast, avidly birding at both locations.

To learn more about Kaksa and her book, visit kathleenkaska.com.