Paxton Gate Portland Presents Don Ehlens Insect Safari March 31, 2013

Paxton Gate Portland goes out of its way to produce this "not your average Easter Egg Hunt type of event," by offering a once in a lifetime experience to see a world class insect collection in downtown Portland. Ehlen will take attendees through an astonishing array of species all from his personal collection and share his knowledge about these amazing creatures, many of which are stunning examples of infrastructure and architecture.

This is a free event and open to all ages. Complimentary beverages--beer or wine and non-alcoholic--will be served for the last three hours of the event.

Don Ehlen has been interested in and studying insects since the age of five. He spent his childhood in Minnesota collecting specimens and reading every book about bugs that he could find. He took up serious collecting as a young adult while attending the University of Minnesota in 1981. After relocating to New Mexico in 1982 his collection grew dramatically. Don studied entomology at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque and traveled around the Southwest searching for new and interesting specimens. Don moved to Washington State in 1989 and soon after began voluntarily showing his collection to school children. Don started Insect Safari in 1994 responding to the encouragement of teachers that such a program was much needed to support insect study in elementary curriculum.

Official Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/326088924180485/