What happens where the land meets the sea? In this episode, Paul talks to Liz Ruther (Pew Charitable Trusts) and Paul Engelmeyer (Bird Alliance of Oregon) about some of the most productive and threatened habitats on the planet - estuaries! As the connection between our upland forests and the ocean, estuaries are critical for water quality and biodiversity, but did you know that they also play a key role in climate change mitigation and resilience for coastal communities? Liz and Paul E. explain what estuaries are, what they do, and why they’re important. They discuss the past, present, and future of these complex ecosystems and share thoughts on why there is still room to be hopeful in the midst of some dire circumstances.

In the introduction, Paul provides an overview of what birds you can expect to see this month on the Oregon Coast. At the end of the episode, ASLC Digital Media Coordinator Nissa Parker jumps in to share news about ASLC events and projects.

ASLC Calendar: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/events-calendar

ASLC Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/audubonlincolncity/

Learn more about ASLC: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/

Make sure to follow us on Instagram at @oregoncoastbirdcast and email your questions and suggestions to birdcast@lincolncityaudubon.org!

How can art alter how you look at the world? Today Paul talks to Nora Sherwood, science illustrator and nature artist about her work drawing and painting birds and other wildlife. Nora shares how she came to this work later in life, leaving a career in tech to learn how to become an artist. She discusses the process of working with scientists to convey key messages about their study subjects, the strengths and weaknesses of hand drawn versus digital art, and how taking the time to observe the minute details of a subject leads to novel curiosity and appreciation for that subject. Ultimately, the conversation aims to answer the question, what can art do for the conservation movement? Can appreciating the aesthetic of a bird lead to action taken to protect it?

In the introduction, Paul provides an overview of what birds you can expect to see this month on the Oregon Coast. At the end of the episode, ASLC Digital Media Coordinator Nissa Parker jumps in to share news about ASLC events and projects.

Follow @norasherwood_science_art on Instagram and see her website here: https://www.norasherwood.com/

Learn more about Reserve Inspiration and see Nora’s art in person: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/reserve-inspiration

ASLC Calendar: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/events-calendar

ASLC Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/audubonlincolncity/

Learn more about ASLC: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/

Make sure to follow us on Instagram at @oregoncoastbirdcast and email your questions and suggestions to birdcast@lincolncityaudubon.org!

Offshore wind energy is in the news. While it’s a potentially promising step toward decarbonizing the grid, conservationists and fishermen alike share concerns about its potential impacts. In this episode, Paul talks to Ann Vileisis, President of Kalmiopsis Audubon Society and independent scholar about the recent proposals for offshore floating turbines off of the southern coast of Oregon. Ann shares her perspective on why a more careful approach to the implementation of these projects matters, and they discuss the specific challenges they pose to seabirds and other ocean life. While decarbonization is critical in the race against climate change, ecosystem-level thinking about alternative energy sources is imperative to not damage vulnerable populations irreversibly. After all, as Ann says, “the ocean is not empty.”

In the introduction, Paul provides an overview of what birds you can expect to see this month on the Oregon Coast. At the end of the episode, ASLC Digital Media Coordinator Nissa Parker jumps in to share news about ASLC events and projects.

ASLC Calendar: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/events-calendar

Want to volunteer? Contact ASLC: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/contact-us

ASLC Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/audubonlincolncity/

Learn more about ASLC: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/

Make sure to follow us on Instagram at @oregoncoastbirdcast and email your questions and suggestions to birdcast@lincolncityaudubon.org!