Dr. Mazin Qumsiyeh's Visit

Wild Basin was pleased to welcome a special visitor last Friday! Medical geneticist and University of Bethlehem professor Dr. Mazin Qumsiyeh toured Wild Basin as a part of his North American lecture series. As the co-founder and director of the Palestine Museum of Natural History and Palestine Institute for Biodiversity & Sustainability Research, Dr. Qumsiyeh was curious to see how Austin’s local biota compared to his home in West Bank. After a guided hike through Wild Basin’s trails, Dr. Qumsiyeh and the rest of the group gathered in the Visitor Center to discuss biodiversity and the challenges faced by environmentalists within the Palestine-Israel conflict. Dr. Qumsiyeh concluded his time in Austin with presentations at both the Texas Green Party Headquarters and St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church.