National Geographic explorer Dr. Steve Boyes will provide his San Joaquin Valley Town Hall audience with a look into Africa’s last great wilderness — the Okavango Delta — Wednesday morning.

During his talk, Boyes will reveal the urgent fight to protect this vanishing ecosystem — one that holds the key to our planet’s future.

As he warns, “Wilderness cannot be restored, only destroyed. We are about to lose our last glimpse into pre-history.”

A conservationist and TED Senior Fellow, the native South African has dedicated his life to preserving Africa’s wilderness areas and the species that depend on them. Boyes founded the Cape Parrot Project in 2010, with support from National Geographic. He also is founder and chairman of the Wild Bird Trust.

Boyes and his research team focus on establishing detailed early-21st-century hydrological and ecological baselines as part of their mission to help local governments preserve long-term resilience to the impacts of climate change.

The focus right now is protecting the “Angolan Water Tower,” which is the primary water source for the world’s largest transboundary conservation area and two-thirds of Africa’s remaining elephants.

His team, led by Dr. Rainer von Brandis, analyze satellite imagery and remote sensing data by undertaking large-scale ground-truthing surveys and expeditions. They discover new species, take DNA samples, and map all birds, wildlife and human activity.

A Look Ahead at Town Hall Speakers

Feb. 18 — Author Daniel James Brown and Historian Tom Ikeda

Subject: Resilience and Resistance

Synopsis: Uncover stories of resilience and injustice as best-selling author Daniel James Brown (Facing the Mountain, The Boys in the Boat) and historian Tom Ikeda, founder of the Densho Project, delve into the deeply personal stories of Japanese-Americans during WWII.

March 18 — Jeopardy! Host and All-Time Champion Ken Jennings

Subject: What Is Success?

Synopsis: Ken Jennings shares his journey from trivia whiz to household name, proving that curiosity isn’t just a trait — it’s a superpower. With humor and insight, he explores the art of asking the right questions, the future of AI, and why lifelong learning is the real key to success.

March 24 — World-Record Cave Diver John Volanthen

Subject: Lessons from the Thai Cave Rescue

Synopsis: Venture into the depths with world-record-holding cave diver John Volanthen as he relives the harrowing 2018 Thai cave rescue. Facing impossible odds, he helped lead one of history’s most daring rescue missions — an operation the world believed would end in tragedy.

April 15 — Best-Selling Author Amy Tan

Subject: The Backyard Bird Chronicles

Synopsis: Discover the unexpected joys of birdwatching with Amy Tan, beloved author of The Joy Luck Club, as she shares insights from her beautifully illustrated memoir, The Backyard Bird Chronicles. With warmth and wit, Tan reveals how observing nature became a source of creativity, mindfulness, and wonder.

About Town Hall

San Joaquin Valley Town Hall is a nonprofit operated by an all-volunteer board of directors. The organization works to provide thought-provoking and educational events, bringing national and international speakers to the Valley.

GV Wire is a sponsor of San Joaquin Valley Town Hall.