Keep Sedona Beautiful will hold its next Preserving the Wonder Speaker series event on Wednesday, October 16th at 5 p.m. This month’s speaker is Rita Faruqui. Her theme is “Our animal brothers and sisters, their ecology and spiritual significance” As always, this presentation is free and open to the public and will be held at the KSB EcoHub, 360 Brewer Road in Sedona. Doors will open at 4:30. Visit the KSB website. www.keepsedonabeauty.org For more information.

Rita’s talk will include a variety of mammals, birds, insects, reptiles, and amphibians that are common in the area. Some biological information as well as cultural and mythological information is shared for each species. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the beings with whom we share the landscape. As we journey through these fellow creatures, expect some myths to be debunked, some fears to be dispelled, and some smiles to be raised. .

Rita has been a nature guide in Verde Valley since 2014. She leads birding and naturalist hikes at Sedona’s Enchantment Resort, Yavapai College, and as part of her private business, Sacred Earth Walks. Before moving to the Verde Valley in 2014, she taught environmental education and led nature experiences at the Wyoming Conservation Society.

She also served as a faculty member at the Rio Grande Zoo in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she specialized in cats, wolves, and birds of prey, and developed educational materials for visitors. She currently teaches Earth-based spirituality classes in Sedona. Rita loves all things wild and resonates as a guide to open people’s consciousness to how they can engage with the earth in sacred communion.

Preserving the Wonder Speaker series takes place on the third Wednesday of each month. For more than 50 years, Keep Sedona Beautiful has been dedicated to protecting and enhancing the beautiful landscape and natural environment of Sedona and the Verde Valley. Click here to learn more about Keep Sedona Beautiful. www.keepsedonabeauty.org.