Retired UNR Biologist Shares Bird Collection at Carson Valley Museum

Alan Gubanich has been identifying birds across Western Nevada for over 55 years.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 12:48pm

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Retired University of Nevada, Reno biology professor Alan Gubanich brought a collection of over 300 bird specimens to the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center on Saturday for a special Family Day event. Gubanich, who has chaired the Lahontan Audubon Society's education committee for two decades, gave a slideshow presentation and allowed attendees to view the birds up close.

Why it matters

Gubanich's extensive bird collection and decades of experience studying and educating the public about local avian species provides a valuable resource for the Carson Valley community to learn more about the region's diverse wildlife. The museum event allowed families to engage directly with the specimens and gain a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

The details

Gubanich, who retired from UNR in 2005, has been giving public talks about birds for 20-30 years. On Saturday, he brought around 30-40 birds from the Lahontan Audubon Society's taxidermy collection of over 300 specimens. The museum currently houses 7 of the birds, with another 40-50 kept at Whit Hall on the River Fork Ranch near Genoa.

  • Gubanich has been identifying birds across Western Nevada for over 55 years.
  • Gubanich has chaired the Lahontan Audubon Society's education committee for most of the last two decades.
  • Gubanich retired from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2005.

The players

Alan Gubanich

A retired University of Nevada, Reno biology professor who has been identifying birds across Western Nevada for over 55 years and has chaired the Lahontan Audubon Society's education committee for most of the last two decades.

Lahontan Audubon Society

A local bird-focused organization that maintains a taxidermy collection of over 300 bird specimens, some of which are housed at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center and Whit Hall on the River Fork Ranch.

Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center

A museum located in Gardnerville, Nevada that currently houses 7 birds from the Lahontan Audubon Society's taxidermy collection.

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What they’re saying

“I've been doing talks like this for 20-30 years. It's reasonably common. So common, my wife wishes it wasn't.”

— Alan Gubanich, Retired University of Nevada, Reno biology professor

The takeaway

Gubanich's dedication to educating the public about local birds through his extensive collection and decades of experience provides a valuable resource for the Carson Valley community to learn more about and appreciate the region's diverse wildlife.