Polly Brody will return as the guest speaker for The Town & Country Garden Club of Newtown on Wednesday, May 9, with a program about migratory birds.

A longstanding biologist and field ornithologist with an MS degree in biology, Ms Brody (pictured) has spent decades as an active advocate for the environment.

While living in Newtown, Ms Brody presented numerous seminars on animal behavior to middle and high school classes and adult education programs. She is well known for her proactive interest in birds and their migratory habits.

Many people who have joined her bird watching excursions have been rewarded with her always relevant poetry and then astounded as they listened to Ms Brody talk with the birds by copying their calls.

Now a resident of Southbury, Ms Brody raised her children in Newtown and has left a strong ecological footprint here, having served as chair for Newtown Conservation Commission from 1965 to 1968. At that time she was instrumental in saving 790 acres from development - now the Upper Paugussett State Forest.

For many residents, it is impossible to imagine Newtown without that beautiful parcel of land. Generations have walked and ridden from one end of the forest to the other for many years, and watched the eagles soar from the Newtown side of the dam over the Housatonic River.

Ms Brody has also authored five books. Her poetry has been recognized with a nomination for a Pushcart Prize, two Winchell Awards from Connecticut Poetry Society, and the Poetry Prize from The Connecticut River Review. Her short stories, essays, and poetry have been published in many venues.

Ms Brody plans to conclude her May 9 program with one of her poems, "Marathon," about the Golden Plover and a runner.

The meeting will be held at Newtown Senior Center, 14 Riverside Road. A social gathering will begin at 6:30 pm followed by the program at 7. Meetings are free and the public is always welcome. Visit tcgardenclub.org for additional information.

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