Free author’s talk with Carl Safina: What Owls Know, What Humans Believe

Ecologist, author and the first endowed professor for nature and humanity at Stony Brook University, Carl Safina’s work focuses on animal psychology and the relationship between humans and nature. His book “Alfie & Me: What Owls Know, What Humans Believe” is a personal account of his rescuing, raising, and releasing an orphaned screech owl. He expected their friendship to end once Alfie flew the coop. 

However, shortly after her release, Alfie chose to maintain her close connection with Carl and his wife, Patricia, and returned to their yard to begin living in the nest box above Carl’s studio. Having forged a close bond of trust, Alfie had lived in Carl and Patricia’s world, and was now bringing them into hers.

Safina will discuss his book at a book signing event presented by the Friends of the Northport-East Northport Public Library, on Sunday, October 27 at the Northport Library. The author is  also founding president of The Safina Center, a non-profit based in Setauket, where the staff addresses issues impacting the environment, nature, wildlife and humanity. 

In Alfie & Me, Safina explains how his relationship with Alfie made him want to better understand how people have viewed humanity’s relationship with nature across cultures and throughout history. Interwoven with Safina’s observations, insight, and reflections, he shares how his and Patricia’s lives transformed during the pandemic. 

The event will be held in the Community Room at the Northport Library, 151 Laurel Avenue in Northport, from 2 to 3:30pm. Copies of the book will be available for purchase for $20 each by check or cash. Registration is underway online until October 20. or for more information, please call the Northport Library at 631- 261-6930.