Preserving Quiet in Nature- Webinar

Imagine standing in the heart of the desert, surrounded by nothing but the pure, uninterrupted sounds of nature. No city noise, no distractions—just the soft whispers of wind and the calls of wildlife. We’re working to protect this rare tranquility—and now, you can learn how this peacefulness impacts both wildlife and humans alike in a truly transformative way.

Join us for an eye-opening webinar and discussion with Matt Mikkelsen, an expert sound recordist and Director of the Quiet Wilderness Area division of Quiet Parks International (QPI). Matt will take you into the world of natural soundscapes and the vital work QPI does to preserve quiet spaces in nature, including Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, which was recently designated a Quiet Conservation Area!

Here’s what you’ll get out of this special webinar:

• Learn the science of sound and discover how natural soundscapes affect the health of ecosystems and why quiet is crucial for wildlife interactions.
• Hear sounds from around the world. Matt will share exclusive sound recordings from some of the quietest places on Earth, giving you a global perspective on the importance of preserving natural quiet.
• Learn about the negative effects of noise pollution, how it disrupts nature and humans, and the cutting-edge research being done to combat it.
• Get an inside look at the data collected from Anza-Borrego and how this Park contributes to a global movement to protect quiet spaces for future generations.
• Have questions? You’ll have the chance to engage with Matt during a live Q&A session, diving deeper into the science of sound and quiet conservation.

Register today!

Date: Thursday, December 5, 2024 

Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. 

Location: Online – instructions to access the webinar via Zoom will be provided upon confirmation. 

Cost: ABF Member: $7, Non-Member: $10, Student: $5 

*Please note that as the Anza-Borrego Foundation is a non-profit organization, all program costs are used to support current and future education programs, including subsidized programs that seek to increase access to the outdoors.   

Scholarships: A limited number of scholarships are available for those with financial need. If you’d like to request a scholarship, please email [email protected] with a two–three paragraph description about why you’d like to attend this program and your need for a scholarship.  

Cancellation Policy: Cancellation requests must be received at least seven days before the event if you wish to receive a refund. Please note that ABF may cancel a program due to low attendance. If ABF cancels a program, we will issue a full refund or credit.  

Presenter: Matthew Mikkelsen is a sound recordist, audio engineer, and documentary filmmaker. He has worked as an engineer, sound designer, and producer on several award-winning documentaries, but has devoted most of his career to observing, recording, researching and preserving natural soundscapes. Check out the Quiet Parks International website for more information about their work: https://www.quietparks.org/