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As part of the continuing Museum Series, the New York State Museum will present a series of March lectures on Biology and Conservation in the Pine Bush and Beyond, sponsored by the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission and the New York State Biodiversity Research Institute All lectures are free and will be held on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in the Museum Theater. Free event parking is available next to the museum. Lecture topics and dates are:

March 9 “The Uncommon American Crow” -- Dr. Kevin J. McGowan, research associate at the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, will explain the complicated lifestyle of this common, but under appreciated bird that has the most human-like social system around. He will also talk about how the West Nile virus is affecting crow survival and threatening crow family values.

March 16 “The Insects of Albany’s Pine Bush: A Century of Change” -- Dr. Timothy McCabe, state entomologist at the Museum, will present the results of more than 25 years of intensive insect sampling, focusing on changes in the community of butterflies and moths in the Albany Pine Bush Preserve.

March 23 “Karner Blue Butterfly Habitat Recovery in the Glacial Lake Albany Sand Belt” -- Neil Gifford, conservation director for the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission, will present an update on Karner blue butterfly recovery and pine barrens conservation in the Albany Pine Bush.

March 30 “Pine Bush Preserved? How Did We Get There? The Political History of Saving the Pine Bush” -- This will be presented by Don Rittner, archaeologist/historian and author of 22 books on science, technology, and history.

The State Museum is a cultural program of the New York State Department of Education. Started in 1836, the museum has the nation’s longest continuously operating state natural history research and collection survey. The museum is located on Madison Avenue in Albany. Further information is available by calling 474-5877 or visiting the museum website at www.nysm.nysed.gov.

The New York State Museum is located on Madison Avenue in Albany. It is open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week throughout the year except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Further information about programs and events can be obtained by calling (518) 474-5877 or visiting the museum website at www.nysm.nysed.gov.