Wildlife Wonders Summer Speaker Series

The Environmental Learning Center presents a Workshop Series:

Wetland Wonders Summer Speaker Series

Schedule of Programs

Thursdays in July and August

All programs run 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Join us at the ELC for a series of presentations that explore wetlands, wildlife, and both current and historical human-wildlife interactions provided by professionals and experts in their fields. There is a $10 suggested donation to cover costs.

Reservations:
To reserve your ticket, select “Get tickets,” then select the program(s) you would like to attend.

Drop-ins: On the day of the program, you can register with a staff member at the ELC. Please show up by 11:45 a.m. to secure your spot!

July 17

Five Insects and their Impacts on Human History

History has been influenced many times and in many ways by insects. Retired entomologist, Rob Wiedenmann, tells some of the tales from the book, "The Silken Thread," that he wrote with co-author Ray Fisher. This isn't just an insect talk. It's about history--the history you never learned in school.

July 24

Restoring Oregon’s Coastal Balance: Bringing Sea Otters Back

Join Chanel Hason, Director of Outreach and Community Relations for the Elakha Alliance, for an engaging presentation about the organization’s efforts to restore sea otters to the Oregon coast. Discover how these charismatic marine mammals are vital to the health of our coastal ecosystems, the history behind their disappearance, and the collaborative work being done to bring them back. Learn how you can support this critical conservation mission and help make a lasting impact on Oregon’s marine environment.

July 31

New Carissa Oil Spill Response and Natural Resource Protection and Restoration

Join Preston Sleeger, the former Regional Environmental Officer for the U.S. Dept. of the Interior (Pacific NW Region) to learn about the response to the grounding of the New Carissa and subsequent oil spill on the coast near Coos Bay, Oregon in February, 1999. We’ll hear about the efforts made to protect natural resources and their eventual restoration.

August 7th

Portland Urban Coyote Project

Marie Martin is a research scientist at the Oregon State University Institute for Natural Resources and collaborator of the Portland Urban Coyote Project. In this presentation, she will discuss urban ecology, coyote facts and fiction, the history and findings of the Portland Urban Coyote Project, and opportunities for stewardship and learning about the elusive species that live among us.

August 14th

Wild Mushrooms: Forage, Identify and Prepare

Oregon Mycological Society (OMS) is an educational and scientific organization. Its mission is to study, collect, and identify fungi, to educate members and the public in fungi identification, and to promote health and safety in the gathering and consumption of fungi.

In this presentation, we will review the basics of mushroom identification as well as foraging and cooking safety. Tim Glassman has lived in the Pacific Northwest for almost 30 years and he has foraged for wild fruits, nuts, vegetables, clams and crabs since childhood. He has led numerous treks into the wild and enjoys sharing his love of nature and its abundance.

August 21

The Wonders of Bird Migration

It's August, and many birds have already launched on an incredible journey from their breeding grounds here in Oregon to wintering grounds further south. Join Bird Alliance of Oregon biologist Candace Larson as we explore the what, why, when and how of bird migration and what you can do to help our feathered neighbors on their migratory travels.

August 28

Beneath the Waves: Petrographic and Geochemical Insights into Oregon’s Underwater Volcanoes

Discover the hidden world of mid-ocean ridge volcanism off the coast of Oregon through detailed petrographic and geochemical analyses of Axial Volcano. This underwater volcano, located about a mile below the ocean surface and 300 miles from the coast of Astoria, Oregon is expected to erupt sometime this year for the first time in 11 years. This talk explores how the mineralogy and chemical composition of volcanic rocks reveal the dynamic processes shaping the seafloor in the Pacific Northwest. Join Clackamas College’s Geology instructor, AK Kotash, to learn more about the world of undersea volcanoes.

If you have questions about this series, please e-mail: michelle.scholz@clackamas.edu