Dr Jessica Allen, lichenologist and cell biologist at the University of California San Diego, has studied lichen all over the world, including in Okanogan County! In the course of 45 fascinating minutes she sheds light on what exactly lichen are, their life history, and what makes them so unique and special. Having studied lichen for 17 years, she is uniquely qualified to inspire us all to dig in and discover the diverse, beautiful, and complicated world of lichens. Enjoy!

Want to learn more?

Check out this article from the New York Times (2021) featuring Jessica Allen: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/03/realestate/gardening-lichen-fall.html

Find the Northwest Lichenologists at: https://northwest-lichenologists.wildapricot.org/

Lichen books recommended by Dr. Allen:

Macrolichens of the Pacific Northwest (2024) by Bruce McCune, Linda Geiser

Lichens of North America (2001) by Irwin M. Brodo, Sylvia Duran Sharnoff, Stephen Sharnoff 

To learn more about and support Okanogan Highlands Alliance, visit: ⁠okanoganhighlands.org⁠