24: Why Whales Sing: Decoding the Oldest System of Culture and Communication on Earth. A Conversation with Acoustic Ecologist, Dr. Michelle Fournet

About Dr. Michelle Fournet:Michelle Fournet is a National Geographic Explorer, a professor of marine biology at the University of New Hampshire, a behavioral ecologist, and the director of the Sound Science Research Collective. As a bio acoustician, Fournet specializes in listening to the world's oceans and the marine animals who live there. Her research focuses on investigating how animals communicate underwater, and how anthropogenic (man-made) activities are changing ocean ecosystems. Fournet is particularly interested in marine mammals including humpback whales, bowhead whales, harbor seals and bearded seals. Fournet's research experience spans pole-to-pole with expeditions and projects ranging from Antarctica to the Alaskan Arctic, and Hawaii to the Caribbean. However, most of Fournet's research focuses on the calling behavior of humpback whales in Southeast Alaska. She was a longtime resident of Juneau, Alaska where the Sound Science Research Collective was founded and has spent the over 15 years listening to the voices of Alaska's whales. About Douglas Barr: Doug is Board Chair of the Educational Non-profit, Saint Helena Forum. He moved to Napa Valley from Los Angeles in 1997. He is a former vintner, actor, screenwriter, director and producer. Doug believes that the Forum is a step toward making Saint Helena a cultural center for the North Bay and an invaluable resource for the people of our community and beyond.