Marine Biologist and Researcher Dr. Shawn Larson from the Seattle Aquarium discusses sea otters up-close! Shawn explores sea otter diet, physiology, reproduction, and genetics - and how her research informs conservation. 

Video of Shawn presenting her genetics research at the 2018 Oregon Sea Otter Status of Knowledge Symposium https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6vaSSrQNvU

 

photo courtesy Vancouver Aquarium 

A great conversation with leading sea otter researcher Dr. Tim Tinker. Tim discusses new science and reveals the varied issues effecting sea otter populations across their pacific range  - from Alaska to California - including his perspectives on a possible Oregon reintroduction. 

Produced in Partnership with the Elakha Alliance

Tom Calvanese is a rockfish scientist, the Station Manager of the Port Orford Field Station, and a catalyst behind developing action to address kelp declines along Oregon's south coast. Join us for a multi-dimensional conversation about kelp conservation. 

Produced in partnership with the Elakha Alliance

A great resource from the NOYO Center for Marine Science abut kelp conservation: https://noyocenter.org/help-the-kelp/

Renowned ecologist Jim Estes shares his story of discovery - from a young graduate student on the Aleutian Islands to scientific breakthroughs revealing the profound ecological effects of a keystone predator

Produced in partnership with the Elakha Alliance

Jim's memoir: https://www.amazon.com/Serendipity-Ecologists-Understand-Organisms-Environments/dp/0520285034/ref=sr_1_11?dchild=1&qid=1586768471&refinements=p_27%3AJames+Estes&s=books&sr=1-11

Trophic Cascades book coauthored by Jim: https://www.amazon.com/Trophic-Cascades-Predators-Changing-Dynamics/dp/1597264873/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&qid=1586768471&refinements=p_27%3AJames+Estes&s=books&sr=1-3

Marine biologist Scott Groth is undertaking one of the longest monitoring projects on Oregon's nearshore. While red sea urchin numbers appear normal, purple sea urchin populations have exploded in recent years with alarming impacts to kelp forests. 

Produced in partnership with the Elakha Alliance

 

Articles about Scott's work:

https://newportnewstimes.com/article/sea-urchin-population-explodes

https://oregonmarinereserves.com/2019/10/24/urchins/

 

 

A fascinating window into new discoveries in kelp ecology and conservation with Sara Hamilton - a leading researcher studying trends in kelp forests. Sara is a PhD student at Oregon State University. Part one of a series produced in partnership with the Elakha Alliance Links to learn more: A story map compiled by the Samish tribe and others about the importance of kelp and it's loss in that region:

 

Join me for a great conversation with Michael Schroeder, a research scientist with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Michael is a leading expert on the ecology and conservation of native grouse species of North America. Beyond technical expertise, Mike has a contagious passion for wildlife and being a wildlife biologist!  

Mikes article "Grouse of the Lewis and Clark Expedition" in the Columbia Magazine:

http://www.washingtonhistory.org/files/library/winter-2003-04_003.pdf

 

Wildlife connectivity is a hot topic - especially in the West. Join for a fascinating conversation with Leslie Bliss-Ketchum (Samara Group) and Rachel Wheat (ODFW). Leslie and Rachel are experts in wildlife connectivity, road ecology, and implementing new strategies to improve wildlife movement in a human altered landscape.

Oregon Conservation Strategy Key Conservation Issue: Barriers to Animal Movement

House Bill 2834

Secretarial Order 3362

 

Geology is a fundamental discipline to major biological concepts such as evolution and biogeography. Join me in a fascinating conversation with Geologist Andrew J. Meigs as he explains the geologic principles behind plate tectonics, volcanism, and mountain-building in the Pacific Northwest. Andrew is a Professor of Geology at Oregon State University. 

Support this Podcast via Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/northwestnaturematters

Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries: https://www.oregongeology.org/

Statewide Landslide Database: https://www.oregongeology.org/slido/index.htm

Great conversation with Selina Heppell, the Chair of the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Oregon State University. Selina discusses her research, describes her department's strategy for the future, and reflects on better ways to attract, train, inspire, and support the next generation of wildlife professionals. 

OSU Dept of Fisheries and Wildlife 

https://fw.oregonstate.edu/