CODY — The Park County Library will host wildlife researcher Denver Holt for a public presentation on Monday, May 4, from 5:30-7 p.m. in Grizzly Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

Holt will present “Top of the World: Snowy Owls on the Edge of Survival,” focusing on more than 35 years of field research on snowy owls in Utqiagvik, Alaska. His work represents the most extensive long-term study of the species in the United States.

The presentation will examine snowy owl nesting behavior, their reliance on lemmings as a primary food source, and observed population declines in both species. Holt will also address changing predator-prey dynamics in the Arctic and the broader environmental factors affecting this ecosystem. His research emphasizes the importance of long-term data collection in understanding wildlife populations and informing conservation efforts.

Holt is a graduate of the University of Montana and the founder and president of the Owl Research Institute. Since 1978, he has focused on owl ecology and has published more than 100 scientific papers and technical documents. His work has been featured by organizations including National Geographic and The New York Times, as well as in numerous television and documentary programs.

This program is part of a larger series made possible by a grant from Flight Path, part of the Spark of Science @ My Library initiative. Through this funding, the Cody Library has been hosting a series of free bird-related programs since November of last year. The grant provides educational resources to help communities learn about bird migration, local species, and ways to support bird habitats.

For more information, visit parkcountylibrary.org or call 307-527-1880.