From Pacific giant salamanders to tailed frogs, Oregon has some fascinating amphibian species. Did you ever wonder how they evolved to live in our state’s many habitats and how they remain resilient to the many geologic, natural and human forces they’ve encountered in their history? On this webcast, retired research ecologist Dede Olson will share the story of our region’s amphibian biodiversity, as well as their conservation needs. We’ll also be joined by Suze Wehr, Communications and Advocacy Associate at Western Environmental Law Center, who will discuss the urgent need for wildlife conservation funding to help Oregon’s native wildlife – including amphibians.
We will be raffling off a copy of Oregon’s Ancient Forests: A Hiking Guide and one of our new “Let Nature Live. Let Nature Last” t-shirts. Tickets are $5 and are an optional purchase below. Raffle tickets not only help us continue these Wednesday presentations but also support our work safeguarding Oregon’s wildlands, wildlife, and waters.
About the presenters:
Dr. Deanna (Dede) Olson is an Emeritus Scientist and former Research Ecologist with the US Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station at the Corvallis, Oregon lab. She received her bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of California, San Diego, and her Ph.D. in Zoology at Oregon State University. She joined Forest Service Research & Development in 1990. Her work is devoted to sustainability of our natural heritage, focusing on species such as amphibians and reptiles at local, regional, national, and international scales.
Suze Wehr is a multidisciplinary artist and advocate for ecological justice. She earned her M.A. from Oregon State University in environmental humanities and wildlife management. She works in communications and advocacy for the Western Environmental Law Center and as a freelance illustrator/writer. She recently joined the Executive Committee for the Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club and released Amphibeing, a guidebook for youth audiences featuring stories from Oregon’s amphibians.
