MACHIAS, Maine — Conservation biologist Geri Vistein will present “Coyote: America’s Songdog”  at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2, at Porter Memorial Library, 92 Court Street.

The hour-long program is free of charge and open to the public. With a multi-disciplinary approach drawn from anthropology, archeology, Native American tradition, poetry, human psychology, wildlife science and animal husbandry, Vistein explores how people and coyotes can coexist. “People really want to learn about our carnivores,” says Vistein, “especially coyote.” Vistein invites the audience to ask questions and share their coyote stories.

Vistein has studied carnivores and the vital role they play in maintaining biodiversity. She took part in several carnivore research projects: the Grizzly Bear DNA Study (Glacier National Park), the Elk Calf Mortality Study (Blackfoot Valley, Montana), and a snowshoe hare study (Yellowstone National Park). She worked for Redlodge Clearinghouse, a collaborative effort among Western ranchers, states and towns to protect the landscape from development, overuse and poor animal husbandry practices. Vistein has an undergraduate degree in wildlife biology from the University of Montana, a masters degree in education, and a masters degree in natural resources from University of Vermont.

For more information about Coyote: America’s Songdog, call the library at 207-255-3933.