Oregon Coast Birdcast

Episode 9: Where Land Meets Sea with Liz Ruther & Paul Engelmeyer

What happens where the land meets the sea? In this episode, Paul talks to Liz Ruther (Pew Charitable Trusts) and Paul Engelmeyer (Bird Alliance of Oregon) about some of the most productive and threatened habitats on the planet - estuaries! As the connection between our upland forests and the ocean, estuaries are critical for water quality and biodiversity, but did you know that they also play a key role in climate change mitigation and resilience for coastal communities? Liz and Paul E. explain what estuaries are, what they do, and why they’re important. They discuss the past, present, and future of these complex ecosystems and share thoughts on why there is still room to be hopeful in the midst of some dire circumstances.  In the introduction, Paul provides an overview of what birds you can expect to see this month on the Oregon Coast. At the end of the episode, ASLC Digital Media Coordinator Nissa Parker jumps in to share news about ASLC events and projects. ASLC Calendar: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/events-calendar [https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/events-calendar] ASLC Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/audubonlincolncity/ [https://www.facebook.com/audubonlincolncity/] Learn more about ASLC: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/ [https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/] Make sure to follow us on Instagram at @oregoncoastbirdcast and email your questions and suggestions to birdcast@lincolncityaudubon.org!

Episode 8: Drawing and Painting Birds with Nora Sherwood

How can art alter how you look at the world? Today Paul talks to Nora Sherwood, science illustrator and nature artist about her work drawing and painting birds and other wildlife. Nora shares how she came to this work later in life, leaving a career in tech to learn how to become an artist. She discusses the process of working with scientists to convey key messages about their study subjects, the strengths and weaknesses of hand drawn versus digital art, and how taking the time to observe the minute details of a subject leads to novel curiosity and appreciation for that subject. Ultimately, the conversation aims to answer the question, what can art do for the conservation movement? Can appreciating the aesthetic of a bird lead to action taken to protect it? In the introduction, Paul provides an overview of what birds you can expect to see this month on the Oregon Coast. At the end of the episode, ASLC Digital Media Coordinator Nissa Parker jumps in to share news about ASLC events and projects. Follow @norasherwood_science_art on Instagram and see her website here: https://www.norasherwood.com/ [https://www.norasherwood.com/] Learn more about Reserve Inspiration and see Nora’s art in person: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/reserve-inspiration [https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/reserve-inspiration] ASLC Calendar: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/events-calendar [https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/events-calendar] ASLC Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/audubonlincolncity/ [https://www.facebook.com/audubonlincolncity/] Learn more about ASLC: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/ [https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/] Make sure to follow us on Instagram at @oregoncoastbirdcast and email your questions and suggestions to birdcast@lincolncityaudubon.org!

Episode 7: Offshore Wind Energy with Ann Vileisis

Offshore wind energy is in the news. While it’s a potentially promising step toward decarbonizing the grid, conservationists and fishermen alike share concerns about its potential impacts. In this episode, Paul talks to Ann Vileisis, President of Kalmiopsis Audubon Society and independent scholar about the recent proposals for offshore floating turbines off of the southern coast of Oregon. Ann shares her perspective on why a more careful approach to the implementation of these projects matters, and they discuss the specific challenges they pose to seabirds and other ocean life. While decarbonization is critical in the race against climate change, ecosystem-level thinking about alternative energy sources is imperative to not damage vulnerable populations irreversibly. After all, as Ann says, “the ocean is not empty.” In the introduction, Paul provides an overview of what birds you can expect to see this month on the Oregon Coast. At the end of the episode, ASLC Digital Media Coordinator Nissa Parker jumps in to share news about ASLC events and projects. ASLC Calendar: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/events-calendar [https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/events-calendar] Want to volunteer? Contact ASLC: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/contact-us [https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/contact-us] ASLC Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/audubonlincolncity/ [https://www.facebook.com/audubonlincolncity/] Learn more about ASLC: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/ [https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/] Make sure to follow us on Instagram at @oregoncoastbirdcast and email your questions and suggestions to birdcast@lincolncityaudubon.org!

Episode 6: Seabird Aviculture with CJ McCarty

Paul talks to CJ McCarty, Curator of Birds at Oregon Coast Aquarium about working with seabirds at the aquarium! The Seabird Aviary at Oregon Coast Aquarium is home to six species of birds including Black Oystercatchers, Common Murres, Pigeon Guillemots, Tufted Puffins, Horned Puffins, and Rhinoceros Auklets. CJ shares how she went from being a young animal lover to having one of the world’s coolest job titles and what makes her work so rewarding. They discuss the amazing science the aviary has been part of, drama between aviary birds, how changing oceans are affecting wild seabirds, and why puffins are actually cooler than penguins! In the introduction, Paul provides an overview of what birds you can expect to see this month on the Oregon Coast. At the end of the episode, ASLC Digital Media Coordinator Nissa Parker jumps in to share news about ASLC events and projects. Learn more about the Seabird Aviary: https://aquarium.org/exhibits/seabird-aviary/ [https://aquarium.org/exhibits/seabird-aviary/] Visit Oregon Coast Aquarium: https://aquarium.org/ [https://aquarium.org/] ASLC Calendar: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/events-calendar [https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/events-calendar] Know of an Osprey nest, want to volunteer, or are interested in ASLC’s school curriculum? Contact ASLC: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/contact-us [https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/contact-us] ASLC Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/audubonlincolncity/ [https://www.facebook.com/audubonlincolncity/] Learn more about ASLC: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/ [https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/] Make sure to follow us on Instagram at @oregoncoastbirdcast and email your questions and suggestions to birdcast@lincolncityaudubon.org!

Episode 5: The Fight for Oregon's Forests with Joseph Youren

In this episode, Paul talks to Joseph Youren, Forest Policy Director for Audubon Society of Lincoln City about the nitty gritty world of forest policy. Joseph breaks down the conflict between the timber industry and conservationists and teases out the role of Habitat Conservation Plans and why they are necessary for protecting forests and water. They discuss the power imbalance between the timber industry and conservation groups when it comes to funding and influence, as well as how misinformation can compromise efforts to protect species like the Northern Spotted Owl and Marbled Murrelet. Joseph shares that ultimately, the only way to achieve conservation goals is for communities to stand up and speak out in support for habitat protection.  In the introduction, Paul provides an overview of what birds you can expect to see this month on the Oregon Coast. At the end of the episode, ASLC Digital Media Coordinator Nissa Parker jumps in to share news about ASLC events and projects. Donate to the Oregon Conservation & Recreation Fund here: https://www.dfw.state.or.us/conservationstrategy/OCRF/ [https://www.dfw.state.or.us/conservationstrategy/OCRF/] Stand up for Oregon’s state forests: http://www.standtalloregon.org [http://www.standtalloregon.org] ASLC Calendar: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/events [https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/events] ASLC Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/audubonlincolncity/ [https://www.facebook.com/audubonlincolncity/] Learn more about ASLC: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/ [https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/] Make sure to follow us on Instagram at @oregoncoastbirdcast and email your questions and suggestions to birdcast@lincolncityaudubon.org!