Pacific Northwest news: How smokejumpers, tribes and students are caring for Northwest ecosystems

Pacific Northwest news: How smokejumpers, tribes and students are caring for Northwest ecosystems

A man steps into a Forest Service airplane. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1a05e9e/2147483647/strip/false/crop/5791x3861+0+0/resize/792x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F08%2Fde%2Fb5275c734f078f2fd4358c49bc06%2Fdsc00509.jpg]Smokejumper Matthew West steps into a Short C-23 Sherpa at a U.S> Forest Service base in Redding.(Justin Higginbottom / JPR ) This week, we explore three stories from across the Pacific Northwest, examining the people, places and projects shaping the region's environment. A new class of cadets learns to climb trees and sew to become smokejumpers [https://www.ijpr.org/wildfire/2026-05-31/a-new-class-of-cadets-learn-to-climb-trees-and-sew-to-become-smokejumpers] At California's Redding Smokejumper Base, a new class of cadets recently completed a demanding six-week training program to join the ranks of firefighters who parachute into remote wildfires. In addition to learning to jump from C-23 Sherpa aircraft, recruits train in specialized skills such as tree climbing and industrial sewing, making their own jumpsuits. With levee breached, Siuslaw Estuary connects to its past life as a sanctuary for salmon, lamprey and tule [https://www.klcc.org/environment/2026-06-03/with-levee-breached-siuslaw-estuary-connects-to-its-past-life-as-a-sanctuary-for-salmon-lamprey-and-tule] Near Florence, Oregon, a 15-year restoration effort reached a milestone when crews breached an earthen levee at the former Waite Ranch, reconnecting former dairy farmland to the Siuslaw estuary. Led by the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians and partner organizations, the project restored habitat for salmon and lamprey and created a cultural gathering place, where tribal members can practice traditions such as returning salmon remains to the water. PacWave makes the most of funding delays by sparking curiosity in scientists, students [https://www.klcc.org/science-technology/2026-06-01/pacwave-makes-the-most-of-funding-delays-by-sparking-curiosity-in-scientists-students] Off the coast of Newport, Oregon, students from Oregon Coast Community College recently joined scientists aboard the research vessel Pacific Storm to collect seafloor sediment samples at the PacWave South wave-energy test site. By sorting through mud samples for marine organisms such as clams and worms, students helped researchers monitor seafloor ecology while gaining hands-on experience with marine science and ocean research.

Medford physicians explain the long road immigrant doctors face in the U.S.

Dr. Som Ghosh and Dr. Mujahid Rizvi join Jefferson Exchange Host Mike Green in the JPR studio on Jan. 15, 2026. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ed4dc42/2147483647/strip/false/crop/4096x2304+0+0/resize/792x446!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1a%2Fe8%2F99963f0448b0a679f1ef3edafce1%2Fdr-som-ghosh-mike-green-dr-mujahid-rizvi-1.jpg]Dr. Som Ghosh and Dr. Mujahid Rizvi join Jefferson Exchange Host Mike Green in the JPR studio on Jan. 15, 2026. (JPR Senior Producer Natalie Golay) Nearly one in four physicians practicing in the United States is foreign-born, a group that plays a significant role in the nation’s health care workforce. Many immigrant physicians work on the front lines in rural and underserved urban areas where U.S.-trained doctors are scarce. That dynamic is explored by Harvard professor Dr. Eram Alam, author of "The Care of Foreigners: How Immigrant Physicians Changed U.S. Healthcare [https://www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/53838/care-foreigners?srsltid=AfmBOooXhKlXkpuEauUrMKDVaSb4FYvSJ_6hkXJaxDmTSGI2Zhl-rjTD]." Alam argues that America’s reliance on immigrant physicians was cemented by the 1965 Hart-Celler Act, which opened immigration pathways for skilled professionals during a physician shortage in the Vietnam War era. In Southern Oregon, doctors Som Ghosh and Mujahid Rizvi have practiced medicine in Medford for more than 20 years. In light of the issues Alam explores, Ghosh and Rizvi discuss their own experiences working as immigrant physicians in the United States. Despite their essential role, entering the U.S. medical system often requires navigating a long process of exams, visas and bureaucratic hurdles designed to standardize international training within the U.S. framework. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/23fc1cd/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1000x1500+0+0/resize/352x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F51%2Ff7%2Fb304a31b43828b600e92a9386000%2Fbook-the-care-of-foreigners-by-eram-alam.jpg] For many physicians, maintaining legal status requires ongoing administrative work. Rizvi, an oncologist, recalls the logistical strain. “Each step had its challenges,” he said. “You kind of have to go through the process of going to a U.S. embassy. Sometimes you have to fly to Canada to get your passport stamped.” Even with an established career, systemic bottlenecks can remain. Ghosh, a specialist in critical care and pulmonary disease, said the immigration pathway can be particularly difficult for some nationalities. “Especially for physicians of Indian origin, it still is a challenge because the wait times are exceedingly long,” Ghosh said, citing visa backlogs created in the early 2000s. Alam notes that demand for visas from other sectors — particularly technology workers from India — has contributed to the competition immigrant physicians face. WHY IMMIGRANT PHYSICIANS CHOOSE TO PRACTICE IN THE UNITED STATES For many immigrant doctors, the United States offers the opportunity to practice medicine with resources that may be scarce in other countries. “The level of opportunity in the United States is unmatched anywhere else in the world,” he said. Ghosh said practicing in the U.S. also allows physicians to focus on patient care. “I like that part about practicing medicine in America where you do what is right, you do what is needed,” he said, “without having to worry about financial constraints.” As the United States continues to face physician shortages, immigrant doctors remain a key part of the health care system. In her book, Alam argues their work has helped normalize the presence of foreign-born physicians in American medicine. Ghosh said representation will remain important as the workforce evolves. “Representation, I think, is key,” he said. “The health care workforce needs to represent the greater population." GUESTS * Dr. Som Ghosh [https://www.asante.org/find-a-doctor/profile/somnath-ghosh/], critical care and pulmonary disease * Dr. Mujahid Rizvi [https://www.hoapc.com/providers/rizvi/], hematology and oncology

ScienceWorks is offering shark dissections, gem mining and more this summer

Visitors play on the water table at ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum in Ashland, Oregon. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/7541a4d/2147483647/strip/false/crop/2000x1334+0+0/resize/792x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0e%2Fbd%2Fb7d63691459f9b2419c14edec5ad%2Fwater-table-kids-and-adults.jpg]Visitors play on the water table at ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum in Ashland, Oregon. (Marven Walder) From shark dissections to wall dancing, ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum [https://www.scienceworksmuseum.org/camps] in Ashland is offering eight weeks of summer camps focused on science, technology, engineering, arts and math, or STEAM. Brooke Conti, guest services supervisor, said the camps are designed to spark curiosity through hands-on experiences. The museum's summer lineup includes programs focused on geology, marine science, art, theater and engineering, along with opportunities for teenagers to volunteer as camp assistants. ScienceWorks aims to inspire curiosity through hands-on learning and interactive experiences. Among the offerings is Subterranean Science, a camp where children can meet Madagascar hissing cockroaches and learn about geology through gem mining activities. The museum also incorporates arts programming into its summer schedule. The Cosmic Cadets camp includes "wall dancing," which allows children to safely climb and perform movements on the museum's exterior walls. Conti said arts and theater activities encourage creativity through projects such as prop-making and costume design. Aerial arts is incorporated into the kids camps at ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum in Ashland, Oregon. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/eb808b0/2147483647/strip/false/crop/2000x1334+0+0/resize/792x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F70%2F6a%2Fd665ed464b08a34970c1b5b6a95d%2Fashland-aerial-arts-silks-earth-day-upside-down-kid-2.jpg]Aerial arts is incorporated into the kids camps at ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum in Ashland, Oregon. (Marven Walder) ScienceWorks will also host Mural Fest on June 20-21, featuring 23 regional artists creating artwork in and around the museum plaza. The museum offers volunteer opportunities for teenagers 13 and older who want to serve as camp assistants. To increase accessibility, ScienceWorks offers $5 admission on the first Sunday of each month and $3 admission for visitors who use EBT or WIC benefits. Conti said the museum hopes children leave with new skills and a sense of curiosity. "We want them to gain curiosity, confidence in their skills and grow a passion for learning," she said. Youth participate in an Austin Droscher kids camp at ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum in Ashland, Oregon. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/810c2d3/2147483647/strip/false/crop/2000x1500+0+0/resize/704x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0b%2Fe2%2F54ffbf6a40429a8cd7ce9d4fb2de%2Faustin-droscher-camp-diane-dwyer.jpg]Youth participate in an Austin Droscher kids camp at ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum in Ashland, Oregon. (Diane Dwyer) GUEST * Brooke Conti, Guest Services Supervisor, ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum [https://www.scienceworksmuseum.org/]

How one family is working to make Klamath Falls more inclusive

Gloria Hoggarth, co-founder and executive director of Major Connections, explains the organization during a table display. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/98ac392/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1222x661+0+0/resize/792x428!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F12%2F78%2F252f6d0d406fb474c2bf60f7b2b0%2Fgloria-hoggarth-explains-major-connections-during-a-table-display.png]Gloria Hoggarth, co-founder and executive director of Major Connections, explains the organization during a table display. (Courtesy of Major Connections ) When Casey Hoggarth's son, Major, was diagnosed with autism at age 2, Hoggarth and his wife, Gloria, began looking for ways to strengthen support for families with disabilities in the Klamath Basin. Rather than moving elsewhere in search of services, the couple founded Major Connections [https://www.majorconnections.org/], a nonprofit named after their son that aims to connect people with disabilities and their families to resources and community. Hoggarth, a physical therapist, and Gloria, a speech-language pathologist, said they saw a need for a central gathering place in Southern Oregon. One of the organization's goals is to encourage event organizers to consider accessibility from the beginning rather than treating it as an afterthought. "Inclusive Klamath would look like having accessibility and connection at the forefront of events rather than afterthought to things," Hoggarth said. Major Connections has secured a 4,000-square-foot building, which will include a children's play center designed for people of all abilities and serve as a gathering space for families. Hoggarth said the facility will include areas for both quiet and active play to accommodate different sensory needs. The organization also plans to host support groups for people living with conditions such as Parkinson's disease and ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Future plans include job-training opportunities for people with disabilities. Major Connections hopes to open the facility by the end of the summer and is seeking volunteers and community sponsors. For Hoggarth, the goal is to bring disabled and non-disabled residents together. GUEST * Casey Hoggarth, co-founder, Major Connections [https://www.majorconnections.org/]

Klamath Wetlands Week highlights one of the West's largest wetland ecosystems

The Western Grebe with chicks is photographed in the Klamath Basin. The Bird Alliance of Oregon is hosting a week-long series of events called Klamath Wetlands Week, which concludes June 6, 2026. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d01d9ad/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1500x929+0+0/resize/792x491!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F33%2F2d%2Fbd69e3b3494cba6d3a467daac556%2Fwestern-grebe-with-chicks.jpg]The Western Grebe with chicks is photographed in the Klamath Basin. The Bird Alliance of Oregon is hosting a week-long series of events called Klamath Wetlands Week, which concludes June 6, 2026. (Mary Williams Hyde / https://birdallianceoregon.org/ ) Often called the "Everglades of the West [https://www.doi.gov/ocl/klamath-river-basin]," the Klamath Basin is home to one of the largest wetland ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest. The Bird Alliance of Oregon [https://birdallianceoregon.org/our-work/learn/adult-programs/free-sliding-scale-programs/klamath-wetlands-week/] is highlighting that landscape through Klamath Wetlands Week, a series of events designed to connect residents and visitors with the region's wetlands and the wildlife that depend on them. Teresa Wicks, the organization's Eastern Oregon field coordinator and the event's lead organizer, said she was inspired to create the event after returning to the basin in 2025. While the area is well known for its winter bird migrations, she wanted to highlight the abundance of wildlife present during the breeding season. “One of the things that I really love about the basin is the amount of life that you see in the wetlands during the breeding season,” Wicks said. Historically, the Klamath Basin watershed supported about 300,000 acres of wetlands across Southern Oregon and Northern California. Participants have already experienced some of that wildlife during events such as a white-faced ibis flyout, where more than 7,500 birds were counted. “At one point, we had about 500 white-faced ibis in different-sized groups flying out toward the alfalfa fields," Wicks said. "It was a pretty cool thing to see.” Black-necked Stilts in flight over the Klamath Basin. The Bird Alliance of Oregon is hosting a series of birding events for Klamath Wetlands Week, which concludes June 6, 2026. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/93b7841/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1500x985+0+0/resize/792x520!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbc%2Fa5%2Fb34de5dc45e4954a94c0b3321429%2Fblack-necked-stilts-in-flight.jpg]Black-necked Stilts in flight over the Klamath Basin. The Bird Alliance of Oregon is hosting a series of birding events for Klamath Wetlands Week, which concludes June 6, 2026.(Mary Williams Hyde / https://birdallianceoregon.org/ ) The week also highlights ongoing restoration efforts, including the Barnes and Agency Lakes reconnection project [https://www.ijpr.org/environment-energy-and-transportation/2025-01-22/water-flows-as-part-of-a-massive-habitat-restoration-in-the-upper-klamath-basin], one of the largest freshwater wetland restoration projects in the western United States. Wicks said the event aims to help people better understand the variety of wetland habitats in the basin and the role those habitats play in supporting wildlife. "My biggest goal is to connect people to the wetlands in the basin and to the fact that birds rely on a diversity of wetland types," she said. GUEST * Teresa Wicks [https://birdallianceoregon.org/about-us/our-staff/], Eastern Oregon field coordinator, Bird Alliance of Oregon [https://birdallianceoregon.org/]