Celebrate Citizen Science with Oregon Shores This Saturday, Nov. 7

The Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition’s annual takes place this Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Hatfield Marine Science Center (and environs) in Newport. The theme for the event is citizen science. Many of the citizen science projects in which Oregon Shores is engaged will be discussed, and featured speakers will cover such topics seabirds, tidepools and plankton. You will find more information and a complete agenda on the oregonshores.org website. The event is free and open to everyone. It kicks off promptly at 10 a.m. in the Hatfield Marine Science Center’s Hennings Auditorium (doors open at 9:30), and winds up with a party at the Rogue Brewery in South Beach at 5:30. Two presenters have been added to those announced earlier. Courtney Johnson, an attorney who collaborates with Oregon Shores through the Coastal Law Project, will provide an in-depth briefing on land use issues in which Oregon Shores is engaged, and answer any and all questions about land use planning, water quality law and other regulatory matters. And Bob Cowen, director of the Hatfield Marine Science Center, will enliven the day-ending party with a talk on the “Plankton Portal.” Speakers include renowned marine ecologist Bruce Menge of Oregon State University, who will provide an overview of Oregon’s rocky shore ecosystems, joined by graduate student Jenna Sullivan, who is studying the impact of sea star wasting syndrome on those intertidal communities, and Rob Suryan, who will describe the seabirds of the Oregon coast and their role in marine ecosystems. Fawn Custer, the CoastWatch volunteer coordinator, will lead a beachwalk—or explore citizen science work through a slide talk in the auditorium if the weather proves too daunting. For more information, contact Phillip Johnson, (503) 754-9303, phillip@oregonshores.org.