Thursday, April 12, 2012 4:30-5:30 pm
Nature Kids (Grades 2/3): Black Bears
Straub Environmental Learning Center
Black Bears are Oregon's only bear, but that doesn't make them any less special! Children are invited to this class to learn about
where black bears live, how they raise their young, what they eat.... and what every kids wants to know - what hibernation is really like! Space is limited, please register your student with Alexandra at 503-391-4145 or fselc@fselc.org. Class is FULL.
Thursday, April 12, 2012, 7:00-9:00 pm
Amateur Naturalist <http://www.fselc.org/programs.html> : Wildflower ID & Ethnobotany <http://www.fselc.org/programs.html>
Straub Environmental Learning Center
Dr. Morris Johnson, botanist and professor emeritus of Western Oregon University, will discuss native plant families and flowers common to the Willamette Valley and Western Oregon. He will explain how our local indigenous peoples used the plants for every aspect of survival, including food, shelter, medicine, clothing, hunting and religious ceremonies. A popular feature of the ethnobotany presentation is the accompanying field trip, details for which will be announced in class. Class is $5, and RSVP required. Please RSVP to fselc@fselc.org <mailto:fselc@fselc.org> or call (503)391-4145. Spaces still available!
Thursday, April 19, 2012 4:30-5:30 pm
Nature Kids (Grades 4/5): Black Bears <http://www.fselc.org/programs.html>
Straub Environmental Learning Center
Black Bears are Oregon's only bear, but that doesn't make them any less special! Children are invited to this class to learn about where black bears live, how they raise their young, what they eat.... and what every kids wants to know - what hibernation is really like! Space is limited, please register your student with Alexandra at 503-391-4145 or fselc@fselc.org. Spaces still available!
Saturday, April 21, 2012 1:30 pm
Straub Nature Walk Series: Deepwood Estate and Bush Park
Meet at the bottom of the soapbox derby track
John Savage of the Willamette Valley Native Plant Society will lead a wildflower walk through Bush Park and Deepwood Estate. Nearly two dozen native wildflowers will be in bloom. Participants should meet at the bottom of the Soap Box Derby Track off Mission Street. Free and open to the public. For more, information, call John Savage after 7 p.m. at 503-399-8615.
Thursday, April 26, 2012 7:00-8:00 pm
Lecture Series: <http://www.fselc.org/programs.html> Ellen Morris Bishop: Living with Thunder - A Past, Present, and Future History of Oregon's Volcanoes <http://www.fselc.org/programs.html>
Loucks Auditorium, Salem Public Library
Oregon's volcanic heritage spans more than 250 million years, and includes the longest lava flow on the planet, as well as one of the largest and most explosive volcanic calderas in North America. Even today's volcanoes continue to hold the potential for eruptions and threaten Oregon's communities. Join us as we learn about emerging evidence that shows relatively recent volcanic activity in the Portland basin, as well as northeast and southeastern Oregon, that suggest volcanic eruptions beyond the Cascade Range have been part of our past as well as, we expect, our future! Ellen Morris Bishop is a professor of Geology and Environmental Studies at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. Presentation is free and open to the public - no RSVP required!
Saturday, April 28, 2012 9:30am -12:00pm
Restoration Day
Straub Environmental Learning Center
Dandelions are taking over! We have LOTS of dandelions to pull throughout the restoration site and a few plants to replace in our rain garden for this month’s restoration day. Join us for as long or as little as you’re able to give our plots some much needed TLC. We work rain or shine, so please dress appropriately! No RSVP required.
Community Events
(For more information on any event below, please contact the name, number or email listed in the description.)
TICKETS GOING QUICKLY!
Sunday, May 20th, 2012, 4:30 pm
Duff Dinner at Zena Forest
Zena Forest
Duff Dinner at the Zena Forest on Sunday, May 20th at 4:30 pm, where Sarah Deumling practices "Natuergemaesse Waldwirtschaft" or "Near-to-Nature Forestry". Sarah will lead us on a light hike to observe examples of a sustainable forest in-the-making. Co-Host and writer Kristin Kaye will read from her novel-in-progress "To Catch What Falls" about our relationship to forested landscapes. Katherine Deumling will prepare a locally sourced, family style dinner followed by more readings and discussion as we navigate the confluence of ideas about words, trees, food and sustainable economies. Tickets: $15 to cover the cost of dinner. BYOB/W. Seats are limited. Sign up at sdeumling@gmail.com or 503 585-6380 <tel:503%20585-6380> . For more information about Duff Dinners go to duffdinners.com.
Thursday, April 12, 2012, 7:00 pm
Salem Progressive Film Series: Vanishing of the Bees
Historic Grand Theatre, 191 High St. NE, Salem
Honeybees have been mysteriously disappearing across the planet, literally vanishing from their hives. Known as Colony Collapse Disorder, this phenomenon has brought beekeepers to crisis in an industry responsible for producing apples, broccoli, watermelon, onions, cherries and a hundred other fruits and vegetables. Commercial honeybee operations pollinate crops that make up one out of every three bites of food on our tables. Vanishing of the Bees follows commercial beekeepers David Hackenberg and Dave Mendes as they strive to keep their bees healthy and fulfill pollination contracts across the U.S. The film explores the struggles they face as they plead their case on Capitol Hill and travel across the Pacific Ocean in the quest to protect their honeybees. Filming across the US, in Europe, Australia and Asia, this documentary examines the alarming disappearance of honeybees and the greater meaning it holds about the relationship between mankind and mother earth. Official website and trailer: http://www.vanishingbees.com/ <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001zaz9mDHFEIFkP3mbE4lFlQqImFp3cg6-Bj-gYck1S9xo6ygPIinLKHT9XBPB9tEM_e7LyGXv8QBirNjYxklc5xaPWDaZD9bF4cRX-yMCIkhSO_vLXPKTMQ==> . Guest Speakers: Mike Rodia, Willamette Valley Beekeepers Association; Carolyn Breece, Faculty Research Assistant-Apiculture Entomogy Program,Oregon State University. For more info, visit: salemprogressivefilms.net.
Saturday, April 14, 2012, 8:00 am
Bird Watching at Fairview Mitigation Wetlands
Meet at Painters Hall, Pringle Creek Community, 3911 Villace Center Dr. SE
Kathy Patterson, longtime Audubon member, will lead a walk to view the birds at the Fairview Mitigation Wetlands in Salem’s Fairview Industrial Park on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Trip attendees are asked to meet at 8 a.m. at Painters Hall in the Pringle Creek Community, 3911 Village Center Drive SE, Salem. The 46 acre wetland site in the Salem city limits features a wide variety of waterfowl and songbirds. The site was restored with native vegetation to offset the loss of wetlands elsewhere caused by development. The Pringle Creek Watershed Council helped build an easy-to-use trail to encourage bird watching. The walk is free and open to the public. The walk will last about two hours. Attendees should dress for the weather and anticipate some muddy conditions. Attendees should bring binoculars. Beginning birders and families are encouraged to attend. For information about the walk and the site, call Kathy Patterson at 503-581-7728 or John Savage at 503 -399-8615.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012, 7:00pm
Salem Audubon Society: "The Red Tree Vole--Oregon's Treetop Dwelling Mouse"
Salem Public Library – Anderson Room (downstairs)
Nationally recognized wildlife biologist Eric Forsman will discuss this elusive forest mammal that lives in the upper canopy of Douglas fir forests and is a major food source for the northern spotted owl. Because of concerns about habitat loss and evidence of low population numbers in some areas, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently concluded that the red tree vole warrants listing as a threatened species in parts of its range. In his talk Forsman, who has been involved in recent studies using video cameras to observe tree voles at night, will describe its behavior and discuss what is known about the distribution and population status of the species. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in wildlife from Oregon State University, Forsman has spent over 30 years conducting research on the ecology of forest birds and mammals, especially spotted owls and their prey. He was a member of the Interagency Scientific Committee that developed the first region-wide management plan for the northern spotted owl. The meeting begins at 7 p.m., with social time at 6:30 p.m. The location is the Anderson Room on the lower level of Salem Public Library. The public is invited; there is no charge. For more information call the Salem Audubon Society office, 503-588-7340.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012, 7:00pm
Salem Audubon Society: Bird Photography Class
First United Methodist Church – Carrier Room
Bird photography will be the focus of an April 18 class taught by Lew and Marti Ligocki of Salem in the Carrier Room of the First United Methodist Church. Proceeds of the class will benefit Salem Audubon Society. The class will cover the basic physics of light which govern how all cameras capture images, how to use the tools, such as the mode dial and histogram, that your digital camera gives you, and some specific ideas for dealing with birds as subjects. The Ligockis will use their own images - successes and failures - to illustrate their points. The class format allows time for questions along the way and for a Q & A session at the end. Owners of "point-and-shoot" cameras are encouraged to attend and to bring their cameras. Their cameras can do more than they probably are aware, according to the Ligockis. The Logockis are owners of Impeccable Images and have recently formed The Camera Discovery Company to serve "point-and-shoot" camera users who, they say "are probably getting the least from their cameras because they don't understand what's possible and what the language in the manual means." In conjunction with the class there will also be a field trip on Saturday, April 21, for participants to practice what they've learned and ask questions of the Ligockis. Time and place of the field trip will be announced at the April 18 class. SAS scheduled this class in connection with its very popular Beginning Birding class series. However, it is not necessary to attend the birding classes to take the photo class. The class is from 7 to 9 p.m., with sign-in beginning at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $10, and pre-registration is recommended but not required. To pre-register, call Salem Audubon Society, (503) 588-7340. For class details call the Ligockis, (503) 371-2141.
April 18-20, 2012
Philosophy Talk Comes to Oregon
Locations Vary
Philosophy Talk is coming up to Oregon to record three live shows, at three different colleges and universities! Philosophy Talk <http://www.philosophytalk.org/> is a weekly, hour-long show that is hosted by two Stanford University philosophy professors, John Perry and Ken Taylor. The show provides a unique, philosophical way of approaching familiar questions and issues, but it also sometimes asks questions that are uniquely philosophical, and puts them in more familiar terms. Philosophy Talk celebrates the value of the examined life. Two philosophers invite listeners to join them in conversations about a variety of issues from popular culture to our most deeply held beliefs about science, morality, and the human condition. Philosophy Talk challenges listeners to identify and question their assumptions, and to think about things in new ways. Two of the upcoming Oregon shows will be on environmental-related questions. We are hoping for big turnouts, and we would like to specifically invite Environmental and Earth Science-minded folks to any (or all) of these performances. Each of these performances are free, and open to the public. Here are the details on each show:
WHEN: Wednesday, April 18th
WHERE: Oregon State University, Corvallis
TOPIC: "The Moral Costs of Climate Change"
GUEST: Allen Thompson, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, OSU
WHEN: Thursday, April 19th
WHERE: Lewis & Clark College, Portland
TOPIC: "The Nature of Wilderness"
GUEST: Jay Odenbaugh, Dept. of Philosophy, Lewis & Clark
WHEN: Friday , April 20th
WHERE: Pacific University, Forest Grove
TOPIC: "Why Be Moral?"
GUEST: James Sterba, Professor of Philosophy, Univ. Notre Dame
Saturday, April 21, 2012, 11:00am-4:00pm
4th Annual Wildlife Baby Shower for Turtle Ridge Wildlife Center
Pringle Creek Community’s Painters Hall
Join us for this free family event at Painter’s Hall to collect supplies for Turtle Ridge Wildlife Center and to celebrate Spring! Days activities include a Critter Station petting zoo for children, wine tasting with Goshawk Wines, earthworm farm lessons, a silent auction, a scavenger hunt, a bean bag toss for kids, and much more! No cost to attend, though we ask that you bring an item from our Wish List to help us care for the orphaned and injured wildlife at our center. The wish list and more info is available at www.turtleridgewildlifecenter.org <http://www.turtleridgewildlifecenter.org> .
Saturday, April 21, 2012 10:00am -4:00pm
Earth Day Celebration at the Oregon Garden
Oregon Garden
The Oregon Garden welcomes visitors with more than 20 specialty gardens and features. You'll discover waterfalls, quiet ponds, fountains, a unique display of conifers, the 400-year old Signature Oak, a Northwest Garden, a pet garden, beautiful vistas and art. Attendees of the Earth Day Celebration get free entry to the Garden plus demonstrations, information and activities from 20+ local businesses and organizations, including recycled crafts, reusable bag painting, and newspaper seedling pot containers plus River Rangers, Raptors of Oregon, composting demonstrations, tree planting and much more! Admission to the celebration is free, though there is a $5 suggested donation per family. For more information, visit http://oregongardenearthday.blogspot.com/.
