‘Round the World.

Well, it’s time to do some wandering. After almost two years with Tucson Audubon, I’m trading my in desk for a backpack, and heading out on a grand adventure for a while. It hardly seems like so much time has gone by since I joined the TAS family. What great people! I’ve gotten a chance to work a varied and interesting schedule, from directing the Institute of Desert Ecology and Riparian Family Institutes, to planting trees with the Restoration crew, to mapping out data and doing bird surveys for the Important Bird Areas program. Along the way I’ve gotten to know many incredible people through programs, guided walks, and in the office.

In June, my girlfriend (and fellow TAS employee) Sarah Prasek, and I are flying to China, where we will begin an overland journey through China and into Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand. From there, we’ll take a short flight to Nepal and spend some time in the Himalayas before moving down into northern India. Another flight will land us in Turkey (by way of Dubai), where we will again travel overland through Eastern Europe. Along the way I’m hoping to see a few birds (to say the least). We’re taking one carry-on bag each and using public transportation the whole way. We’ll be back sometime in December and will rejoin the Tucson Audubon staff. To keep up with our journey, check future issues of the Vermillion Flycatcher or my blog at wherearesarahandmatt.blogspot.com. Que te vaya bien!