TIME: Refreshments, Membership sign-up and Bookstall from 7:00pm, talk begins at 7:30pm LOCATION: Salon 1, Alyazya Ballroom, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island ABOUT THE TALK: Of the four species of weaverbirds found in India, the Finn’s Weaver Ploceus megarhynchus is the least known. The species was rediscovered in Kumaon terai in 1959. It is a globally threatened species, listed as Vulnerable by BirdLife International. Distributed very locally, it is an endemic bird of India and Nepal.  Dr Rajat Bhargava, an ornithologist, author, photographer and Senior Scientist for the Bombay Natural History Society will be talking about a recent report which documents how the Finn’s Weaver has a small, rapidly declining and severely fragmented population. His report highlights the stresses the species faces and the need for a state-specific Finn’s Weaver Recovery plan.   We will print plenty of forms for you to sign up or renew your membership for the 2018-2019 season. Please remember to bring cash as there isn’t and ATM at the venue (AED 100 for individuals and AED 150 for families). You’re welcome to fill in the form ahead of time, it can be downloaded here.   Our next event will be  a special screening of the film documentary “The Migrant - Sooty Falcons in Oman”  on Tuesday 9 October 2018, at 7.00pm, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Auditorium, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. Click here to find out more.  

TIME: Refreshments, Membership sign-up and Bookstall from 7:00pm, talk begins at 7:30pm LOCATION: Salon 1, Alyazya Ballroom, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island ABOUT THE TALK: People of Ras Al Khaimah is an important book. This photography book documents the stories of the people who shaped Ras Al Khaimah's great economic, political and social transformation in the second half of the twentieth century. The accounts here show what this transformation meant in human terms. In their own words and accompanied by over 100 stunning photographs, it features more than 50 portraits and oral histories of the Emiratis and immigrants who call the Emirate home. They came together to create a warm and welcoming society in the open spaces in the north of the United Arab Emirates. Anna Zacharias and Jeff Topping spent three years talking to residents, teasing out their personal stories and photographing them at work and play in all their diverse backgrounds. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS: Anna Zacharias moved to Ras Al Khaimah from Canada’s west coast as a child. She worked as a journalist at The Nationalnewspaper for more than six years, including three years as a Ras Al Khaimah correspondent. Based in Abu Dhabi from 2011 to 2014, she worked as a senior features writer specialising in pop Heritage and wrote The National’s camel blog, 'A Year at the Camel Races.' Jeff Topping is an American photojournalist and travel photographer with over 25 years experience in more than 20 countries for Reuters, The New York Times and Getty Images.  He came to the United Arab Emirates in 2008 to join The National as a staff photographer and is now a freelancer represented by Polaris Images.   We will print plenty of forms for you to sign up or renew your membership for the 2018-2019 season. Please remember to bring cash as there isn’t and ATM at the venue (AED 100 for individuals and AED 150 for families). You’re welcome to fill in the form ahead of time, it can be downloaded here.   ​​​​​​​

DNHG trip to Greece from Friday September 7 to Friday 13, 2018   This trip is offered by two former DNHG members who moved back to their homeland: Konstantina Sakellariou and Nancy Papathanassopoulou. Combining deep knowledge of their country with natural history expertise, Konstantina and Nancy designed a custom-made experience of Greek history, culture and nature, creating a unique, live-like-a-local itinerary. We will start with two intense days in Athens, soaking into the ancient history and learning about the origins of modern democracy, and then we will be taken to Peloponnese where we will stay in a private house on the mountain and we will explore villages, traditions, nature, underground lakes, natural gorges and emerald beaches. This will be an adventure-filled week, a full immersion into Greece’s past and present. Please find here attached a detailed day-by-day program.   The number of participants is limited to 6 people.   Cost of the trip is 1180 EUR.   The above cost includes: all the transfers and transport cost, tour guiding, local guides and nature experts, entrance fees as per the programme, all meals (as stated in the analytical itinerary) including traditional lunches, dinners and snacks.   The cost excludes all extras, beverages and coffee breaks, air ticket as well as Schengen visa, if needed.    Single room supplement applies only while in Athens; in the village we will share the house (4 rooms and 2 bathrooms).   There are plenty of direct flights from Dubai to Athens. We will advise on the most convenient one in due course. At the time of the search the tickets started at less than 1600 aed (Egypt Air or MEA).    September is still high-season in Greece, so we need to make bookings well in advance. Booking deadline is August 1. Prepayment of 500 EUR will be collected to secure the bookings. There are only 6 spots available and will be assigned on first paid basis. Only prepayment guarantees you the spot on the trip. Prepayment is not refundable.   At the moment we are assessing if there’s enough interest to proceed with this trip.     If interested, please contact Sonja at lavson@gmail.com

LOCATION: Alyazya Ballroom, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island  DATE: Monday 2nd July 2018  TIME: 7:00pm - 8:00pm  ABOUT THE EVENT: The ENHG has teamed up with Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi and local marine conservation organisation, Azraq (Arabic for “Blue”) for a screening of the multi award-winning documentary STRAWS. A thought provoking, entertaining and educational documentary sparked by research that plastic straws are now among the top-five beach litter items collected in coastal clean-ups.  The film will be followed by a Q& A with the Managing Director of Azraq, Natalie Banks and Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi’s Resident Marine Biologist and Head of Conservation, Arabella Willing. TICKETS: This is free event, but there are limited spaces, so please register for a ticket to avoid disapointment. 

TIME: Refreshments, Membership sign-up and Bookstall from 7:15pm, talk begins at 7:30pm LOCATION: Salon 1, Alyazya Ballroom, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island ABOUT THE TALK: This talk will highlight some of the important palaeontological and archaeological discoveries which I have been involved with since I first came to Abu Dhabi in 1994. These include discovering important fossil specimens and animal trackways from the Baynunah Formation geological outcrop, at Shuwaihat, Ruwais, Umm Al-Ishtan and Mleisa, which date to between 6-8 million years ago. The earliest archaeological evidence for the first populations inhabiting Abu Dhabi dating to the Middle Palaeolithic between 35,000 - 200,000 years ago from Jebel Barakah. Details of life during the Neolithic period between 6-8,000 years ago on Marawah Island, Dalma Island, Baynunah and Umm az-Zamul. Finally, the discovery of the 7th-8th century Church and Monastery on Sir Bani Yas Island. ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Dr Mark J. Beech is currently "Head of Archaeology and Palaeontology - Al Dhafra & Abu Dhabi Section"  in the Historic Environment Department at the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Dr Beech was formerly the Senior Resident Archaeologist for the Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey (ADIAS) from 1994-2006, after which he was appointed Head of Cultural Landscapes in the Historic Environment Department at the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) from 2006-12, and then Head of Coastal Heritage and Palaeontology for the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) from 2012-2017. He has a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Archaeology from UCL Institute of Archaeology (1982-85), a Masters Degree (with Distinction) in Environmental Archaeology from the University of Sheffield (1986-87), and a Phd in Archaeology from the University of York, UK (1997-2001). In 2009 Dr Beech received the Sheikh Mubarak Bin Mohammed Natural History Prize for 2008 from the Emirates Natural History Group, in recognition of his services to the Archaeology of the UAE.

LOCATION:  Alyazya Ballroom, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island DATE: Saturday 23rd June 2018. TIME: 4:30pm – 6:30pm ABOUT THE EVENT: Are you aged 6-12yr and interested in the ocean?  Ever wondered what it’s like to be in the fins of a marine biologist and what they get up to?  Join this fun-filled, interactive afternoon out for little ones curious about the treasures of the ocean. Learn about the amazing animals that live under the sea and how plastics are affecting our ocean. ABOUT THE EVENT LEADER: Prasanna Wijesinghe is a Marine Biologist and Environmental Scientist working for GHD. He is dedicated to raising awareness about our oceans having worked in a number of countries teaching and engaging with local communities. He wants to continue raising awareness here in the United Arab Emirates Click here to download the event flyer SIGN UPS:  Please help us to confirm numbers by registering for a "ticket" below.

  Hiking Trip to Slovenia: Mountains and Lakes for Eid Al Fitr holidays from June 15 to June 22, 2018   Slovenia is a small independent country in the heart of Europe with only 2 million inhabitants, who have managed to preserve their culture and language despite millennia of foreign domination. Previously one of the six republics of Federal Yugoslavia, Slovenia has been independent since 1991, been part of the European Union since 2004 and has adopted the Euro as a national currency in 2007. Despite its small size, Slovenia is a country of significant biological, geographical, climatic and cultural diversity: Alps, Mediterranean, Pannonian Plain, Karst, rivers, forests, lakes and caves.  It is a place where Slavic, Romanic, Germanic and Hungarian cultures and languages meet.   With DNHG we have previously organized two successful trips to Slovenia, but this is the first time that we will venture high into Slovenian mountains for some genuine alpine landscapes and unspoiled hikes from peaks to hidden mountain lakes.   This is a 8 day hiking adventure, an exclusive program that you cannot book through a travel agency – we will walk through some previously off the limits border trails guided by our private certified mountain guide. The hike requires certain fitness levels, we will hike from 5 to 8 hrs per day (with breaks), but it is also designed the way that you can easily take a day off and just chill in a local guesthouse or a mountain lodge, should you prefer so. Time permitting (depending on flights) we will organize a visit to the capital Ljubljana on the last day.   Click HERE for a detailed day by day program and some photos. For those interested we can extend the trip for few days and add some of the most beautiful sights of Slovenia (coast, castles, caves...).   The number of participants is limited: 10 pax only  Cost of the trip is 1300 eur per person sharing a twin/double room. Single rooms are subject to availability, with single room supplement additional to the above cost.    The cost includes all transports, food (3 meals per day, B-L-D) and lodging, as well as an expert English-speaking mountain guide throughout the hike.  The cost excludes air ticket, all extras, tips and Schengen visa costs (if needed).   There are no direct flights from Dubai to Slovenia (Ljubljana). We will look for an appropriate flight closer to the date, either to Zagreb, Vienna or to Ljubljana via Istanbul.    June – August is considered high season in Slovenia and the area where we are going has limited lodging capacities so we will have to book promptly. 500 euro prepayment will be collected to secure the booking.   If interested please contact Sonja at lavson@gmail.com       https://www.instagram.com/lavson.adventures/    

  Sarawak, on the island of Borneo offers an unforgettable mix of culture- and nature-based travel experiences. With its history of White Rajahs, diverse cultures, mighty rivers, rainforests and iconic wildlife, Borneo is a unique destination that appeals to a wide range of visitors. On this trip, we will enjoy the charms of historic Kuching; visit Semenggoh Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, explore the massive cave systems of Mulu National Park; go jungle trekking and wildlife watching at Bako National Park and more!  Our experienced local guides will connect you with Sarawak, its people and the natural features of the “Land of the Hornbills”.      Click HERE for a more detailed itinerary and some photos.   The number of participants is limited: 10 pax only (Due to the rugged nature of the trip, it may not be suitable for children.)   The land package costs AED 3,000/- per person in a twin/double room. Single rooms are subject to availability and cost AED 3,725/- per person land package.                   PRICE INCLUDES:  Accommodation, land & boat transfers, meals as stated, entrance fees, GST and English speaking guide.    PRICE EXCLUDES:  International airfare, domestic return flights to Mulu (approx. AED 550) visa fees, vaccinations, travel insurance, beverages, tourism tax, tipping, camera/video camera fees (if any) and items not stated.   There are no direct flights from Dubai to Kuching (capital of Sarawak, Malaysian State of Borneo).  Depending on the number of people interested, we can change the departure date depending on everyone's convenience.    For more information about the field trip and to confirm your interest ASAP, please contact Jennifer at guinevere33@hotmail.com  

Please join us in celebrating the close of our 40th wonderful ENHG season. We will begin with a dinner of Tapas at The Beach House Restaurant. At around 8:00pm there will be a few words from our Committee Chair, Arabella Willing about her day job as Head of Conservation at Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi. We will then set off for a night patrol along the beach. Keep an eye out for phosphorescent plankton and nesting turtles. All welcome, however please make sure everyone is registered before 10th June. Unfortunately indoor seating is limited, so if we have a large number of sign-ups, some members may only be able to attend the talk & patrol. Location: The Beach House, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi Date: Tuesday, 12th June 2018. Time: Sunset Price:  Set of 5 tapas AED 150 (suitable for two people) Payment will be made on the night, please help us to confirm numbers by registering for a "ticket" below.  To see the menu click here.

TIME:  Membership signup from 7:15pm, lecture from 7:30pm VENUE:  NYU Abu Dhabi, building A3, lecture room 001. Click here for a google maps and here for a campus map https://nyuad.nyu.edu/content/dam/nyuad/news/documents/campus-map-with-directions.pdf  LECTURE TITLE:  The Abu Dhabi Superblock: Adaptation, Evolution, and Livability in the Modernist Grid LECTURE SUMMARY: Historic photographs, aerial mapping, and computer modeling techniques visually tell the story of Abu Dhabi's planning origins and urban evolution. The Modernist superblock serves as a common thread through time while a quantitative as well as qualitative analysis of the city, block, and architectural scales is conducted. The hidden diurnal rhythms of the downtown block are explored describing the resultant lifestyles of the residents. This presentation is based on the chapter entitled "The Abu Dhabi Superblock: Adaptation, Evolution, and Livability in the Modernist Grid" by Lukas Sokol from the Lifescapes Beyond Bigness publication for the UAE's National Pavilion at the 2018 Venice Biennale. It is Commissioned by the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, curated by Dr. Khaled Alawadi and supported by the UAE Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development. ABOUT THE SPEAKER:  Lukas is the Urban Design Manager at the Abu Dhabi Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities where he has worked for 11 years.. He is responsible for advising the Abu Dhabi Government on matters regarding urban design, master planning, and strategic development. He heads the DPM's Urban Design Studio which serves as an internal think tank and project design and development consultancy responsible for exploring, developing, and testing government initiatives.

TIME: Refreshments, Membership sign-up and Bookstall from 7:15pm, talk begins at 7:30pm LOCATION: Salon 1, Alyazya Ballroom, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island ABOUT THE TALK: The coastal village of Jezirat Al Hamra, Ras Al Khaimah, is a mysterious cluster of over 500 buildings, all of which were abandoned over a half a century ago. These buildings are almost entirely constructed from coral, and the unique architecture is a snapshot of life in the pre-oil history in the Emirates. In this seminar we introduce the audience to this fascinating village and walk back through time to explore the evolution of the community. We then  examine the practice of coral masonry, using geochemical dating techniques to develop an understanding of this history of these structures and calculating the type and volume of corals that had been mined from the sea to support the expansion of this early urban setting. Jezirat Al-Hamra represents a unique archaeological and architectural asset for the Emirates, and we close with a brief discussion on the future of this unique development. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS: Dr. John Burt is an Associate Professor of Biology and head of the Marine Biology Laboratory at NYU Abu Dhabi. Burt studies coral reefs across the region and has published over 60 scholarly articles and book chapters on the unique ecology of regional coral reefs and their associated fauna over the past decade. He was the recipient of the ENHG's 2017 Sheikh Mubarak Bin Mohammed Prize for Natural History of the United Arab Emirates.  Noura Al Mansoori is a Research Assistant in the NYUAD Marine Biology Laboratory and an active diver who is studying coral reef and seagrass ecology in the UAE. She is an author of an upcoming book chapter reviewing the marine ecology of the Arabian Gulf.

Overnight dhow trip to the Musandam   We organize this popular overnight dhow trip to Musandam almost every year and, before the weather gets too hot, we have managed to secure the dhow for the weekend April 27-28, 2018.  It might be hot on the mainland by then, but we expect temperatures out on the sea to still be pleasant for snorkeling, swimming and sleeping on the deck.    The trip will start from Dibba port on Friday morning and will return on Saturday evening. The two-day trip will allow us to explore distant Musandam fjords and villages (Khawr Al Hablayn,  Lima, Mansan, etc…) that are not visited by the commercial one-day dhow trips. There will be a lot of opportunity to snorkel, kayak, fish or swim.    On Friday evening we will be treated to a barbecue and bonfire on the beach of one of the isolated small bays deep in Khawr Al Hablayn. We will sleep on the open dhow deck, under the stars - a unique experience.  On Saturday we will visit a couple of remote villages deep in the Musandam fjords and have some more time for swimming and snorkeling.   The dhow will be a traditional two-deck dhow. Lower deck has majilis with cushions, upper deck has loungers. Both decks are shaded. Boat has facilities (toilet & shower).   This trip is limited to minimum of 20 and maximum of 35 people.  Cost per person will depend on the number of people: Min 20 people: 620 AED per person Min 25 people: 570 AED per person Min 30 people: 550 AED per person   Cost includes: -       Traditional two-deck dhow with crew for 2 days (exclusively for our group) -       Visa processing and eventual visa fees -       Full catering (4 buffet meals: breakfast, 2 x lunch, barbecue dinner) & all soft drinks -       Snorkeling equipment, towels, fishing hand lines with baits, 2 kayaks, 1 banana boat   A prepayment of 500 AED will have to be collected by Sunday, April 15 to book and prepay the dhow. If less than 20 people prepay by April 15 we will cancel the trip. Balance payment will be collected on the day of the trip.   Please note that the prepayment is needed to book the boat (only prepayment guarantees the booking) and that in case of your cancellation after the cut-off date, the prepayment cannot be refunded.     This trip is open to all ENHG groups. Places will be allocated on first paid basis. You will need your own transport to reach Dibba port (but we can agree on car shares at a later stage).   Due to Dibba border regulations I will need to have your passport and visa copy at least 10 days before the trip to arrange for the visa. You will need to have a valid passport to cross the border, however the visa will NOT be stamped in your passport and you will NOT have to pay any extra visa fees.   At the moment we are assessing the interest. Please reply only if you are serious about attending.     If interested, please contact Sonja at lavson@gmail.com