Events

Wednesday, March 18

Community—and Science—Guided Conservation in Madagascar

Scientists say, “Madagascar is home to over 4,000 threatened species that should be saved from extinction.” Communities say, “Threatened or not, some species are more important than others for our survival. Priorities should be on the most useful species.” Conservation success, defined as positive change in species and habitat status, can be achieved only through an integration of these two perspectives, combined with a supporting policy. Using Madagasikara Voakajy’s 20 years of experience, Julie will relate how such an integrated approach delivered successful conservation of tree and amphibian species.

Wednesday, April 8

The Elakha Alliance: A New Approach to Sea Otter Conservation

The Elakha Alliance is leading a collaborative endeavor to reestablish sea otters to their historic range on the Oregon coast. Jane Bacchieri joined the Alliance as its first Executive Director in 2022. Jane has over 25 years of experience in natural resources management which includes leading planning and watershed management teams for the City of Portland and serving as a natural resources policy advisor for Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski. She has engaged with communities to protect and conserve coastal and freshwater resources through her work with the Oregon Coastal Management Program, South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, the National Park Service, and as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Kingdom of Tonga. Jane holds a Master of Environmental Management degree from Duke University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from the University of Vermont.

Wednesday, April 22

True Tall Tales from Tanzania: Giraffe Science and Reasons for Hope in the Biodiversity Crisis

Long-term studies of large mammals are rare, but incredibly important to our understanding of how to save these charismatic animals from extinction. Fifteen years ago, Derek and Monica established the world’s biggest study of giraffes, based in the savannas of northern Tanzania. Using cutting-edge computer vision technologies, these researchers recognize thousands of individual giraffes by their unique spot patterns and track them over their lifetimes to understand what helps or hurts these magnificent creatures and to guide conservation efforts. They also created the ‘Celebrating Africa’s Giants’ environmental education program to inspire the next generation of Tanzanian conservationists. Join these renowned scientists as they share stories about giraffes, why these gentle giants are struggling for survival, and what is being done to help them in their African homelands.

Wednesday, April 29

At the Intersection: Wildlife Conservation, Social Justice, and the Non-Traditional Pathway to Leadership 

Renowned wildlife ecologist, equity and justice advocate, and storyteller Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant is a trail-blazing conservationist whose insights about STEM, equity, and the power of nature inspire audiences of all kinds. As an active scientist, Dr. Wynn-Grant researches how human activity influences the behavior of wild animals, spending long periods in the wilderness tracking and observing black and grizzly bears in the Western U.S. and African lions in rural Kenya and Tanzania. A native Californian, Dr. Wynn-Grant attributes her interest in wildlife and conservation from the nature shows she watched on television as a child, and today she uses media to increase representation of Black scientists and explorers. Dr. Wynn-Grant envisions a near-future where the outdoors is a safe, equitably accessible, and positively transformative space for all people.