Northwest Nature Matters

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 C...

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 Mo...

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:/...

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/

An inspiring discussion with three leaders in wildlife science and management. Harriet Allen, Evie Merrill, and Wini Kessler are recognized for their scientific accomplishments while leading wildlife programs in state and federal agencies and academia. In addition to their scientific credentials, they are pioneering trailblazers and mentors for women in the wildlife profession.   Harriet Allen: ht...

A fascinating discussion with Dr. David Shepherdson about the role of zoos in conservation. As the Deputy Director of Conservation at the Oregon Zoo, David discusses how zoos are becoming an essential foundation of conservation success; from the most significant voices in conservation education to leading experts in endangered species recovery programs.  Link to books by Gerald Durrell  https://ww...

Free-roaming horses and burros represent one of the most challenging and complex issues in the realm of western public land policy. In this episode we talk with Keith Norris, the Director of Policy and Communications with The Wildlife Society. Keith gives an overview of the issues and reveals important science based details and perspectives often left out of this otherwise emotionally driven topic...

A great conversation with Christian Hagen and Jeremy Maestas about the natural history and conservation of the greater sage-grouse. Christian is a leading grouse scientist and research professor at OSU. Jeremy is a sagebrush ecologist at the NRCS and part of the Sage Grouse Initiative team implementing grouse conservation projects on private lands throughout the West.  Siskadee is the Crow name fo...

In this episode we join leading bat experts Dr. Tom Rodhouse and Roger Rodriguez to discuss the natural history and conservation of bats.  Tom and Roger reveal fascinating facts about bat biology while also discussing their research, and new impacts to bat populations in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.  To learn more about the Northwest Bat Hub:  https://osucascades.edu/HERS/northwestern-bat-hub...

In this episode we discuss sea otter population restoration with Robert Bailey, the Board President of the Elakha Alliance. "Elakha" is the Chinook and Clatsop Indian word for sea otter. In the late 1990s, the Elakha Alliance was organized by members of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, the Coquille Indian Tribe and others to promote the restoration of sea otters and a healthy marine ecos...

A discussion with Monty Gregg, a wildlife biologist with the USFS, about implementing conservation projects using the power of partnerships. Proactive conservation on our public lands is a critical,yet challenging goal in an era of declining funds and little public support. Monty discusses his approach to partnerships - demonstrating how non-governmental organizations can become key players in suc...

Part three of a three part series dedicated to the naturalist and explorer, John Kirk Townsend. In 1839, Townsend published his journal as a book entitled "A Narrative of a Journey Across the Rocky Mountains to the Columbia River". The journal recounts the then 24 year old's trip from Missouri to the mouth of the Columbia River in 1834, with fellow naturalist and professor Thomas Nuttall.  This na...

Part two of a series dedicated to the naturalist and explorer, John Kirk Townsend. In 1839, Townsend published his journal as a book entitled "A Narrative of a Journey Across the Rocky Mountains to the Columbia River". The journal recounts the then 24 year old's trip from Missouri to the mouth of the Columbia River in 1834, with fellow naturalist and professor Thomas Nuttall.  This narration is sl...

Part one of a series dedicated to the naturalist and explorer, John Kirk Townsend. In 1839, Townsend published his journal as a book entitled "A Narrative of a Journey Across the Rocky Mountains to the Columbia River". The journal recounts the then 24 year old's trip from Missouri to the mouth of the Columbia River in 1834, with fellow naturalist and professor Thomas Nuttall. These naturalists bro...

This episode is primarily oriented to students, early professionals, and others considering wildlife careers. We explore the various career tracks in the wildlife profession with Quentin Hays, a wildlife biologist and professor who brings personal perspectives from his diverse work in agency, academic, and private sectors.  Instead of delving into specific jobs, we explore how wildlife career trac...

A fascinating conversation with wildlife biologist Paul Henson about Endangered Species Act implementation. Paul is the State Director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Oregon Office where, among other duties, he supervises a team of dedicated biologists who implement ESA recovery strategies across a spectrum of listed species.  Paul discusses a new paradigm in ESA implementation that empha...

Few issues are more important than the over-arching capacity to fund conservation now and into the future. In this episode we explore a key piece of funding legislation recently introduced to the Oregon State legislature, HB 2829, The Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund. It's successful passage requires immediate support from Oregonians. We explore the bill and surrounding issue with Represent...

A conversation with biologists Brian Bangs and Chris Allen about a pioneering success story recovering the once Endangered Oregon Chub. The Oregon Chub was de-listed in 2015 - the first fish ever removed from the federal Endangered Species Act list.  Brian is a native fish biologist and Oregon Chub project lead for ODFW. Chris Allen is an endangered species biologist and recovery project leader wi...

An eye-opening conversation with Dr. Burke Hales and Dr. George Waldbusser about the effects of ocean acidification on ocean ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest. Professors and research partners at Oregon State University, Burke and George definitively linked an increase in ocean acidification to the collapse of oyster seed production at a commercial oyster hatchery in Oregon. We discussed the ove...

Leland Brown with the Oregon Zoo, and Jim Akenson with the Oregon Hunter's Association discuss lead exposure in scavenging birds of prey, and how to increase hunter adoption of non-lead ammunition.  Leland is a hunter, wildlife biologist, and the Non-lead Hunting Education Coordinator at the Oregon Zoo. Leland is a national leader in building outreach and education programs designed to increase hu...

A fascinating conversation with Taal Levi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Oregon State University. Taal is a geneticist and ecologist with a broad research focus including assessing the ecological consequences of wildlife over-exploitation, fisheries management, the ecology and conservation of predators, disease ecology, and population dynamics in a changing cli...

A conversation with Mark Penninger about the natural history and conservation of the bighorn sheep. Mark is the Forest Biologist for the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, and a bighorn sheep and mountain goat specialist. Called the " koepa"  by the Northern Paiute people, the bighorn sheep is an icon of the mountain West; yet complex disease issues have stalled its complete recovery. Mark discusses...

A fascinating conversation with Michael P. Nelson, an environmental scholar, writer, teacher, speaker, consultant, and Professor of Environmental Ethics and Philosophy. He holds the Ruth H. Spaniol Chair of Renewable Resources and serves as the Lead Principal Investigator for the  HJ Andrews Experimental Forest Long-Term Ecological Research program  at Oregon State University. He is the philosophe...

A conversation with Kim Nelson, a Research Wildlife Biologist in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Oregon State University. Kim is a leading researcher on pacific seabirds and particularly the marbled murrelet. The marbled murrelet is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act and listed as endangered in California and Washington state.  Like the spotted owl, the murrelet requ...

The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation is considered an exemplary example of success but new challenges loom on the horizon.  In this episode, we will be talking to Davia Palmeri, the Conservation Policy Coordinator with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Davia is an expert on conservation policy. Davia will discuss the history of conservation, new challenges, and the exiting p...