Voices of our Coast
JANUARY 11, 2026
Global Systems, Ethical Commerce & the Human Story Behind Trade
Dr. Elizabeth A. Bennett is an international affairs scholar whose work brings to light the human stories behind global trade. As the Joseph M. Ha Chair in International Affairs at Lewis & Clark College, she explores how business, policy, and ethics intersect—from coffee farms in Latin America to factories in Asia and the growing movement toward fair and sustainable trade.
With a PhD in Political Science from Brown University and a master’s from The Fletcher School at Tufts, Dr. Bennett bridges rigorous research with lived experience. She has spent years in the field interviewing farmers, entrepreneurs, and activists who are reshaping what ethical commerce can look like in the 21st century.
Her work focuses on voluntary sustainability standards, fair trade certification, labor rights, and the politics of global supply chains—asking how we might align markets with human dignity and environmental responsibility.
At Willow Camp, Dr. Bennett will bring these themes home: exploring how individual choices and community values ripple outward, and how local action connects to global transformation. Her talk will invite us to see the moral dimensions of everyday trade—the invisible threads that link our coast to the wider world.
MARCH 23
Join us at Willow Camp on Sunday, March 23rd, at 4 PM for an engaging talk with large cat expert Dr. Quinton Martins—founder of True Wild and director of Living with Lions, a conservation and research project in partnership with Audubon Canyon Ranch.
Dr. Martins will share fascinating insights about mountain lions, their ability to thrive in human-dominated landscapes, and their vital role in shaping conservation efforts locally and globally. As apex predators, these magnificent cats are essential to California’s ecosystems, yet they face increasing challenges as human activity expands into wild spaces.
A limited number of dinner tickets with Dr. Martins are available—reserve yours soon!
APRIL 20
Amos Nachoum is a world-renowned wildlife photographer, explorer, and conservationist, known for his breathtaking close-up images of some of the world’s most formidable creatures, including great white sharks, orcas, crocodiles, and polar bears. His work takes him to Earth’s most remote and extreme environments, from the icy waters of Antarctica to the depths of the Amazon, where he immerses himself in the wild—often free-diving without cages—to capture the raw beauty and power of nature’s apex predators.
As the founder of BigAnimals Expeditions, Nachoum leads small groups on exclusive adventures, offering rare opportunities to witness and photograph these magnificent animals in their natural habitats. His work has been published in National Geographic, BBC Wildlife, Time, and The New York Times, earning him prestigious accolades, including multiple BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards.
His lifelong mission is to challenge misconceptions about feared predators, portraying them not as threats but as vital and awe-inspiring parts of our ecosystem. His daring quest to photograph a polar bear underwater was chronicled in the acclaimed documentary "Picture of His Life." Through his photography and expeditions, Nachoum continues to inspire a deeper respect for wildlife and the urgent need for conservation.
A limited number of dinner tickets with Amos are available—reserve yours soon!
MAY 18
Keith Hansen is a passionate bird artist and lifelong birder whose journey began in a creative home inspired by his talented mother, Janice. He started illustrating birds during his senior year of high school in 1976, a decision that shaped his life’s path. His deep connection to birds grew through years spent exploring California’s Central Valley, Sierra Nevada, and coastline, as well as tropical regions like Mexico, Central America, and the Amazon. Through hands-on experiences—especially bird banding studies—Keith developed a remarkable understanding of avian behavior and anatomy that informs his art.
His illustrations have appeared in scientific journals, murals, and acclaimed books, including Birds of the Sierra Nevada and his most recent work, Hansen’s Field Guide to the Birds of the Sierra Nevada, featuring over 1,200 detailed drawings. When he’s not out birding, Keith runs The Wildlife Gallery in Bolinas, where visitors can view his original artwork and prints. Join us at Willow Camp for an inspiring evening with Keith as he shares stories from a lifetime of watching and drawing birds. A cozy, catered dinner at the Lodge will follow the talk for those who reserve in advance—space is limited.