Oregon’s Marine Reserves, Jan. 11

Take a Dip Below the Surface into Oregon’s Marine Reserves! Join the Newport Chapter of Surfrider Foundation for our first Chapter Meeting of 2018 to learn more about research in Oregon’s Marine Reserves. The meeting is on Thursday, January 11th from 6:30-8:00 pm at the Newport Visual Arts Center, Room 205. Oregon has five unique state-managed Marine Reserves. The goals of these specially protected areas are to conserve marine life and habitats, encourage research, and minimize negative impacts on local communities. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has a robust ecological monitoring program to characterize each reserve and monitor changes over time, using a variety of research tools. Ashley Knight will talk about these research projects and share some of the interesting things that have been seen in the Marine Reserves in the first five years of implementation. Her presentation is packed with underwater photos and videos. Ashley is a Science Integration Fellow tasked with facilitating research opportunities between Oregon State University (OSU) and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (ODFW) Marine Reserves Program. Throughout her 2-year fellowship she she is leading field work, connecting researchers at OSU to managers at ODFW, and also integrating  marine reserve science efforts throughout the West Coast. For more information on the Newport Chapter, including a list of volunteer opportunities, visit newport.surfrider.org.