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-calendarASLC 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-inspirationASLC Calendar: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/events-calendarASLC 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-calendarWant to volunteer? Contact ASLC: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/contact-usASLC 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!

Paul talks to CJ McCarty, Curator of Birds at Oregon Coast Aquarium about working with seabirds at the aquarium! The Seabird Aviary at Oregon Coast Aquarium is home to six species of birds including Black Oystercatchers, Common Murres, Pigeon Guillemots, Tufted Puffins, Horned Puffins, and Rhinoceros Auklets. CJ shares how she went from being a young animal lover to having one of the world’s coolest job titles and what makes her work so rewarding. They discuss the amazing science the aviary has been part of, drama between aviary birds, how changing oceans are affecting wild seabirds, and why puffins are actually cooler than penguins!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.Learn more about the Seabird Aviary: https://aquarium.org/exhibits/seabird-aviary/Visit Oregon Coast Aquarium: https://aquarium.org/ASLC Calendar: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/events-calendarKnow of an Osprey nest, want to volunteer, or are interested in ASLC’s school curriculum? Contact ASLC: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/contact-usASLC 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!

In this episode, Paul talks to Joseph Youren, Forest Policy Director for Audubon Society of Lincoln City about the nitty gritty world of forest policy. Joseph breaks down the conflict between the timber industry and conservationists and teases out the role of Habitat Conservation Plans and why they are necessary for protecting forests and water. They discuss the power imbalance between the timber industry and conservation groups when it comes to funding and influence, as well as how misinformation can compromise efforts to protect species like the Northern Spotted Owl and Marbled Murrelet. Joseph shares that ultimately, the only way to achieve conservation goals is for communities to stand up and speak out in support for habitat protection. 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.Donate to the Oregon Conservation & Recreation Fund here: https://www.dfw.state.or.us/conservationstrategy/OCRF/Stand up for Oregon’s state forests: http://www.standtalloregon.orgASLC Calendar: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/eventsASLC 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!

Paul is joined by Joe Liebezeit and Allison Anholt of Portland Audubon to talk about their work conserving coastal habitats and the birds that rely on them. We learn about Oregon’s Marine Reserve Program and three birds that depend on healthy coastal ecosystems: Marbled Murrelets, Western Snowy Plovers, and Black Oystercatchers. Joe and Annie discuss the specific needs and conservation challenges these birds are facing as well as the incredible amount of work it takes to create a conservation success story. The obstacles are often daunting, and it takes a combination of good science, political action, and community engagement to protect wildlife and their habitats. To learn more about Portland Audubon and sign up for their mailing list so that you, too, can take action for birds and wildlife, visit https://audubonportland.org/take-action/.If you want to get involved with Portland Audubon’s community science efforts, check out https://audubonportland.org/get-involved/community-science/.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.Learn more about Oregon’s Marine Reserves: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/marine-reservesLearn more about Rocky Habitat: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/rocky-habitatStand up for Oregon’s state forests: http://www.standtalloregon.orgASLC Calendar: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/eventsASLC 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!

Paul talks to Roy Lowe, retired biologist and refuge manager with the US Fish & Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) National Wildlife Refuge Program. As the first USFWS agent stationed on the Oregon Coast, Roy has accrued decades of experience studying seabirds and their migration habits within the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Paul and Roy discuss the amazing endurance and navigational feats of migratory seabirds, theories on how these birds navigate to find their destinations, and some new technologies being used to understand the movements of migratory birds. Follow @rloweiii on Instagram to see his incredible bird and wildlife photography!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.Learn more about Motus Wildlife Tracking System: https://motus.org/About the Reserve Inspiration art exhibit: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/feature-articles/reserve-inspiration-art-exhibit-opens-july-7ASLC Calendar: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/eventsASLC 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!

What do birds do during a wildfire? Dr. Jamie Cornelius, a National Geographic Society Explorer, is on a mission to find out. Professor and researcher in the Department of Integrative Biology at Oregon State University, Dr. Cornelius chats with Paul about her research on how birds respond to unpredictable changes in their environment and the Cornelius Lab’s new project exploring how birds respond to wildfire. Dr. Cornelius shares how she became interested in this question, the techniques her team uses to collect data, and the challenges they face doing fieldwork in unpredictable and potentially dangerous areas.To learn more about Dr. Cornelius and her lab’s work, visit https://www.corneliuslab.org/.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.Learn more about SWIFTY: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/swiftyASLC Calendar: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/eventsASLC 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!

Paul interviews Ruth Shelly, Vice President of Audubon Society of Lincoln City (ASLC) about the migratory Osprey population of Lincoln City, Oregon. We get to know Ospreys, their habits and behaviors, and what makes our iconic State Raptor so special. Ruth shares about ASLC’s Osprey Awareness Initiative, an education and community science project that aims to educate the public about Ospreys and monitor their nests in the area. 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.Learn more about Osprey and see the nest map here: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/ospreyHow to testify for the Habitat Conservation Plan on June 7th: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/take-action/action-alert-help-us-keep-state-forest-protections-on-trackRegister for Birding Basics class at Oregon Coast Community College: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/events-calendar/birding-basics-classASLC Calendar: https://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/eventsASLC 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!