WORKSHOPS & PRESENTATIONS

© Hilton Pond Center

An appreciative crowd of 350 people (above) gathers for a
hummingbird banding demonstration by Bill Hilton Jr.

Are you program chair for a civic or conservation organization that needs a dynamic talk about nature . . . a garden club interested in wildflowers . . . a birdwatching group that wants the inside scoop on hummingbirds . . . a company trying to be a better environmental citizen . . . a school district that seeks to help educators teach science . . . a teacher trying to excite students about learning? Or perhaps you're looking for just the right keynote speaker to spice up your annual meeting. If so, Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History has the program you need.

Presentations are given by Bill Hilton Jr., an award-winning educator, nature writer, and researcher from York, SC. Hilton is an entertaining, informative speaker who addresses groups across the U.S. His presentations--tailored for any size or type of audience--last 45-90 minutes and are guaranteed to provoke interest and a lively question-and-answer follow-up; he will leave the audience begging for more!

Holding a live bird during "Hummingbird Mornings" at Reedy Creek Nature Preserve Charlotte NC (2007)

Again and again, audiences have this to say about Bill Hilton Jr.:
  • Professional Organization Leader:
    "He's simply the best speaker our group has EVER heard. The talk was thoroughly entertaining AND informative--tailored perfectly for the audience."
  • Sierra Club Program Chair:
    "Bill Hilton Jr. gave the most exciting presentation we've had in the ten years I've been a member. I was spell-bound."
  • School District Curriculum Coordinator:
    "Our teachers were really challenged and stimulated by Mr. Hilton's education workshop! We learned SO much we can share with our students."
  • Hummingbird Enthusiast:
    "I cannot remember the last time I so thoroughly enjoyed a seminar as yours today in Fredericksburg, Virginia."
  • Professional Nature Guide: "An early morning bird banding program led by Bill Hilton Jr. was unequivocally the best presentation about the subject I have ever seen."
  • Master Gardener:
    "I heard Mr. Hilton speak at the Cullowhee NC native plant conference and thought his was one of the best presentations I've ever attended anywhere. Thank you!"

Most sessions include spectacular color slides taken by Bill Hilton Jr. Many of his popular presentations are listed under the link below; other topics can be developed on request. He is also available for 20-30-minute after-dinner talks and for programs for spouse groups at professional meetings. Hilton's inservice/preservice workshops help educators teach science, especially across the curriculum.

Fees for presentations by Bill Hilton Jr. vary with topic, size and type of audience, and distance traveled. To book a presentation for your next meeting, contact Hilton at 803-684-5852 or via e-mail at EDUCATION.
An alphabetical sampling of recent presentation and workshop venues includes:
  • Eastern Bird Banding Association, Shawnee On Delaware PA (dinner lecturer for annual regional conference)
  • Environmental Educators of North Carolina, Blowing Rock NC (keynote lecturer for annual statewide conference)
  • Golden Pond Nature Station, Land Between the Lakes KY (lecturer & hummingbird bander for 1,500-plus attendees of annual HummerFest Celebration; annually since 2003)
  • John Bachman International Symposium, Newberry College, Newberry SC (organizer, chairman & keynote speaker)
  • Mountain Lake Migratory Bird Festival, Mountain Lake VA (keynote lecturer & bird bander; multiple years)
  • Mt. Cuba Center, Hockessing DE (lecturer & workshop leader)
  • National Association of Biology Teachers, Atlanta GA (invited panelist for annual conference)
  • National Wildlife Federation Family Summit, New Brunswick, Canada (lecturer & workshop leader)
  • Native Plant Conference, Cullowhee NC (lecturer)
  • Newberry College, Newberry SC (presenter for Fine Arts & Lecture Series)
  • New River Birding & Nature Festival, Fayette County WV (lecturer, field trip leader & bird bander; annually since 2003, including Elderhostels)
  • San Andres Island Bird Banding Course, Colombia, South America (hummingbird banding instructor)
  • Sarah P. Duke Gardens of Duke University, Durham NC (lecturer)
  • Science Teachers of Missouri, Jefferson City MO (keynote speaker & workshop leader for 350-plus K-12 educators at annual conference)
  • Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC (keynote lecturer for annual in-service meeting of Smithsonian staff & volunteers)
  • South Carolina Middle and Elementary School Academy of Science, Newberry (SC) College and South Carolina State University, Orangeburg SC (twice keynote lecturer for 750 students, teachers & parents)
  • South Carolina Science Council, Myrtle Beach SC (workshop leader for several annual conferences)
  • South Carolina Wildlife Federation, Clemson SC (annual awards banquet keynote speaker)
  • U.S. Botanic Garden, Washington DC (public lecturer)
  • University of Wisconsin Alumni Association, Madison WI ("Wednsday Nite@ The Lab" lecture for alumni & the public)
  • University of Wisconsin Arboretum, Madison WI (extended in-service lecture for naturalists & the public)
Click here for a partial
List of Workshop & Presentation Topics

Back to Education Main Page

HUMMINGBIRD MORNINGS
In 2009, informative and entertaining hummingbird banding presentations are being scheduled around the U.S.
(Click on the logo at left for details.)
If your group would like to host Hummingbird Mornings anywhere in the U.S. or Canada in 2009 or later, contact
Bill Hilton Jr.

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Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History is a non-profit research & education organization in York, South Carolina USA; phone (803) 684-5852. Directed by Bill Hilton Jr., aka The Piedmont Naturalist, it is the parent organization for Operation RubyThroat. Contents of this website--including articles and photos--may NOT be duplicated, modified, or used in any way except with the express written permission of Hilton Pond Center. All rights reserved worldwide. To obtain permission for use or for further assistance on accessing this Web site, contact the Webmaster.