Podcast appearances and mentions of forest ecosystems

For researchers, endangered and threatened birds like the Northern Spotted Owl and the Marbled Murrelet can be incredibly hard to find and study in the wild. Now new research shows that  artificial intelligence may be able to help. As first reported in Hakai Magazine, researchers have been training AI to correctly identify elusive species of birds in the wild through sound. Matthew Betts is a professor and chairs the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society at Oregon State University. He coauthored the study and joins us to share more about the development of this AI and its implications for future research.   

Advocates say that a healthy forest ecosystem has a role to play in reducing the chance and spread of wildfires in Nova Scotia. Healthy Forest Coalition coordinator Mike Lancaster explains.

How do we think about forests and their value? We know that forests store carbon, and with the climate changing, many might think the answer is to just plant more trees. Our guests challenge that conventional wisdom and, as the saying goes, help us see the forest for the trees. In Season 7, Episode 8, host Sarah Thorne and cohost Jeff King, National Lead of the Engineering With Nature (EWN) Program, US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), are joined by Laurie Wayburn, Cofounder and President of Pacific Forest Trust (PFT), and Nathan Beane, Research Forester in the Environmental Laboratory of the USACE Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC). They're talking about how to sustainably manage forests to make them more resilient. Laurie has dedicated her career to forest conservation and sustainability. She is an innovator, a pioneer, and an authoritative voice on forest practices and policy. Much of Laurie's work at Pacific Forest Trust (PFT) is working with private landowners on conserving forests. “We wanted to work with what I would call the enlightened self-interest of private landowners and make it financially competitive, or even more desirable, to keep their forests as forests, not just as plantations, but to manage them as forests with the full suite of functions.”Nathan is the leading research forester within the US Department of Defense (DoD). As lead of the Forest Ecosystem Dynamics Team at ERDC, his research primarily focuses on forest communities, their function, health, management, and sustainment, and ultimately the creation of “resilient forests.” Nathan's work addresses problems in forested lands on USACE and DoD installations. His on-the-ground research helps to inform a more comprehensive understanding of healthy forest ecosystems and how to improve their management.In their respective roles, both Laurie and Nathan speak for the forests. As Laurie describes it, “When people use the term forestry, what they're typically thinking about is the production of timber or fiber commodities. That phrase, ‘seeing the forest for the trees,' is all too apt because so many people think of forests just as a collection of trees.” She describes forest systems as beginning well below the ground and ending above the canopy with trees being the most visible piece of a storehouse of biodiversity that comprises the forest overall. Nathan agrees, noting, “While forests provide key habitats for a range of wildlife, including threatened endangered species, they also generate oxygen, filter water, provide soil stabilization, carbon sequestration, ecosystem biodiversity, natural disaster mitigation, and flood control.”Laurie has a strong call to action for listeners: “One of the most critical things I hope we can help people think about is forests are essential infrastructure, just as we think about roads or the internet as essential infrastructure. As you go about your daily life, be aware of, and grateful for, the grace and blessing of forests and return the favor. They don't exist without people caring and being involved.”Nathan agrees: “I'm a big advocate for that. I think it's important to highlight that it's critical that we understand the complexity of forests. We have a lot of challenges ahead of us, and I think it's really important that we continue to conduct research in this space. I'm really glad to be a part of the EWN Program that supports this.”For more information and resource links, please visit the EWN Podcast page on the EWN website at https://www.engineeringwithnature.org/  •      Jeff King at LinkedIn•      Laurie Wayburn at LinkedIn•      Laurie Wayburn at Pacific Forest Trust•      Nathan Beane at LinkedIn 

Is it possible to eat enough white-tailed deer to keep their populations low enough to restore ecosystems? We posed this question to Bernd Blossey, professor at Cornell University who specializes in the management of invasive species and the restoration of disrupted ecological relationships.In this episode, we look at the history of white-tailed deer in the eastern forests of the United States, how many we would need to harvest to keep the population in check, and whether the concept of ecosystem balance is scientific or a fantasy.This is the third and final part of our series exploring whether we can eat our way out of the problems we've created. Let us know what you think by sending us an email or a voice memo to podcast@tablededebates.org.For more info and resources, visit: https://tabledebates.org/podcast/episode58GuestsBernd Blossey, Professor at Cornell UniversityEpisode edited and produced by Matthew Kessler. Music by Blue dot sessions.

The intensity and impact of wildfires has dramatically increased over the past few decades due to climate change. And as those acres burn, those fires are releasing trapped carbon back into the atmosphere and only exasperating global warming.Utilities have been at the center of the controversy around wildfires - taking the blame for devastating events in California and Maui, but also leading in developing solutions to mitigate the rise in and impact of wildfires.For further research:"Wildfire Risks in the US are Soaring. Here's What Utilities can do." - Utility DiveUS Drought Monitor Conditions - NDIS"PG&E will bury 10,000 miles of power lines so they don't spark wildfires" - NPR"Effects of Climactic Variability and Change on Forest Ecosystems" - NDAWildfire Climate Connection - NOAANew York City Skyline Turns Orange Due to Wildfires - ABC NewsForest Fires are Getting Worse, 20 Years of Data Confirm - MongabayFollow Paul on LinkedIn.

For years, conservationists have been at loggerheads about how exactly to decide what land should be preserved. Should the focus be on large contiguous tracts of land, or would it be better to focus on the most valuable, biodiverse plots of land, and save them, no matter the size? This disagreement has had real implications for landowners and conservationists and has led to fights about research, results and strategy. Matthew Betts, a professor in the department of Forest Ecosystems & Society at Oregon State University, is the co-author of a new paper that lays out a strategy for finding agreement.

The Global Carbon Cycle refers to the continuous flow of carbon from the land and water, through the atmosphere and living organisms. Within the cycle there are carbon sinks and carbon emitters. As one of the largest reservoirs of carbon on Earth, forests play a huge role in the global carbon cycle. But how do we know? In this episode, we speak to geoscientist Dr. Ralph Dubayah to explore the applications of GEDI and NISAR in assessing carbon capture in Earth's forests. Dr. Dubayah sheds light on the incredible capabilities of GEDI, a lidar-based instrument on the International Space Station, which measures forest structure in three dimensions, providing precise estimates of biomass and carbon content. He also shares insights into NISAR, a forthcoming joint NASA-ISRO mission that uses synthetic aperture radar to track surface deformation and offer a comprehensive understanding of forest biomass changes. Throughout the episode, Dr. Dubayah showcases exciting discoveries made possible by these technologies, highlighting their potential for revolutionizing our understanding of forest carbon capture and its crucial role in mitigating climate change.

In this interview with Dr. Robert Beschta, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society at Oregon State University, Dr. Beschta discusses his research studies related to terrestrial trophic cascades in riparian and upland ecosystems. This effort included studies in several national parks in the western U.S. and Canada as well as the Apache National Forest in Arizona. However, most of his research efforts since the early 2000s have focused on the trophic effects of Yellowstone's wolves on plant communities in the park's northern range.Support the show

Catalonia has a pig problem. Numbers of Sus scrofa, the Eurasian wild pig, have shot up in recent years and so too has the potential for conflict with humans. Cristina Tomàs White and Guifré Jordan join Lorcan Doherty to discuss the causes, effects, and possible solutions to the spiraling wild boar population. With Anna Sanitjas, head of Forest Ecosystems and Environmental Management at the Catalan government, Jaume Badia, biology PhD researcher at the University of Barcelona, and Ramon Comes, from the Unió de Pagesos farmers union. Plus, we go searching for boar in the Collserola mountains and get the thoughts of residents there. This week's Catalan phrase is 'fer més mal que un porc solt' - to do more damage than a pig on the loose.  

Over the past 60 years, global forest area has decreased by 315,000 square miles, an area about twice the size of California. Combined with global population growth over that period, this has resulted in more than a 60% decline in global forest area per capita. The continuous loss as well as degradation of forest affects […]

Multnomah County recently tightened its rules around wood burning in an effort to improve air quality. County leaders say what we really need is a societal change in public attitudes, similar to what we've seen with smoking or drunk driving. If it's not your primary source of heat, what would it take for you to rethink using a fireplace or backyard fire pit? We hear from listeners as well as Lauren Frank, associate professor of communication at Portland State University and Troy Hall, professor and head of the Forest Ecosystems and Society Department at Oregon State University.

Today on Mushroom Hour we have the honor of being joined by Dr. Cathy Cripps. Dr Cripps is a mycologist and professor at Montana State University where she teaches and does research on fungi. She earned her BS from the University of Michigan and PhD from Virginia Tech with Dr. Orson Miller. Her research on mushrooms that survive in Arctic and alpine habitats has taken her to Iceland, Svalbard, Norway, Greenland, the Austrian Alps, and Finland. She is co-author of “The Essential Guide to Rocky Mountain Mushrooms by Habitat”, and “Fungi in Forest Ecosystems”, and has authored numerous scientific papers. She is also involved with using mycorrhizal fungi in the restoration of whitebark pine. With over 40 years of experience collecting mushrooms, first as an amateur when she lived in a cabin in Colorado and later as a professional leading forays and teaching field classes in Montana, her love and enthusiasm for the Rocky Mountains and its fungal creatures runs deep.   TOPICS COVERED:   Interest in Organisms from the Benthic Deep to the Mountaintops  Falling in Love with the Colorado Mountains  Coming out of the Mountains to Pursue a Graduate Degree  Foundations of the Telluride Mushroom Festival  Distinguishing Montagne, Alpine and Subalpine Ecosystems  Alpine Mushrooms and 1 Inch Dwarf Willows  Subalpine Aspen Forests  Montagne Conifer Forests  Role of Soil pH and Tree Age in Fungal Community Composition  Mycorrhizal Fungi as Key to Resiliency of White Bark Pine Forests  Biogeography of Arctic Alpine Fungi   Native and Endemic Fungi of Mountain Biomes  Writing “The Essential Guide to Rocky Mountain Mushrooms by Habitat”  Future of Research on Mycorrhizal Fungi  EPISODE RESOURCES:   Cathy Cripps Faculty Profile: https://plantsciences.montana.edu/directory/faculty/1524013/cathy-cripps  Orson K. Miller: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.3852/10-042  Dwarf Willows: https://www.bbcearth.com/news/the-worlds-tiniest-tree  Amanita alpinicola (fungus): https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/mtax/mt/2017/00000132/00000003/art00025;jsessionid=26t1ks7l10pq2.x-ic-live-02  Arrhenia auriscalpium (fungus): https://plantsciences.montana.edu/facultyorstaff/faculty/cripps/Arrhenia%20paper.pdf  Dentinum repandum (fungus): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydnum_repandum  Hericium coralloides (fungus): https://www.mushroomexpert.com/hericium_coralloides.html  Suillus americanus (fungus): https://www.mushroomexpert.com/suillus_americanus.html  Suillus of whitebark pine: https://plantsciences.montana.edu/facultyorstaff/faculty/cripps/MohattRPViewDoc.pdf  

Critical Zones | Terrestrial University [16.09.2021] What are volatile particles? How can we measure and feel them? And why do we experience a fragrant forest as a consequence of climate heating? In their 3D installation »Atmospheric Forest«, which is on show in the »Critical Zones« exhibition, artists Rasa Smite and Raitis Smits focus on the phenomenon of volatile emissions from trees and their visualization. In the course of their collaboration with the Swiss Federal Institute of Forest Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), they learned that under the regime of climate change, certain trees not only transform CO2 into oxygen, they also emit various gases into the atmosphere: forests breathe. Based on this artwork, this issue of »Terrestrial University« engages with in-depth scientific and artistic research on fragrant forests, taking the Pfyn forest in the Swiss Alps as a case study. This 10,000-year-old forest in the Valais, southwestern Switzerland, is unique: its state of crisis has been caused by the local aluminum industry and by drought exacerbated by climate change over the past 100 years. As one of the first long-term outdoor laboratories, the Pfyn forest has been closely monitored for more than 20 years. The project partners talk about tools, methods, and the scale of fragrant forests affecting climate change together with the question of how art can translate the invisible and alarming interactions between the forest and atmospheric ecosystems into an experienceable environment confronting people with the imperative necessity of system change. »Atmospheric Forest« is part of the »Ecodata–Ecomedia–Ecoaesthetics« research project (2017–2021), which is carried out by Yvonne Volkart (lead), Marcus Maeder, Rasa Smite, and Aline Veillat in collaboration with Arthur Gessler, Christian Ginzler, Andreas Rigling, the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), and Kaisa Rissanen, University of Helsinki and funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation and hosted by the Academy of Art and Design (FHNW) Basel.

Amelia grew up in Astoria, the daughter of foresters. Through experiences working at Ft. Clatsop, going on a wilderness camp and her U of O education, she's taken on a passion for research in forest ecosystems leading to a Phd in Vermont.

Today, Azora is speaking with Ariana Day Yuen about Ariana's agroforestry enterprise Forested Foods and how it partners with smallholder farmers - starting in Ethiopia - to sustainably grow, process, and market the most distinctive, premium, forest-based products (like honey!), focusing on forest conservation - where forest ecosystems are more lucrative conserved than destroyed - and a more equitable world for forest-based communities. This episode is part of our four-part series all about sustainable design, curated and hosted by Azora Zoe Paknad of Goldune. On this new FUTURE OF WOMEN Podcast series, Azora speaks with designers, journalists, and agroforestry entrepreneurs about sourcing products and developing supply chains in a way that respects the environment and communities that create them. ARIANA DAY YUEN Ariana Day Yuen is the Founder of Forested Foods, an agroforestry enterprise that combats deforestation and conserves biodiversity by partnering with forest communities to sustainably produce forest-based honeys, spices, gums/resins, fruits and more. They launched with Maryiza, a brand of single-origin honeys from Ethiopia's indigenous trees. Ariana started her career as a management consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton in their DC and New York City offices where she advised clients across the government, non-profit, and private sectors. She then joined TechnoServe as a Fellow in their Ethiopia office and joined them full-time thereafter supporting a range of projects with Nespresso, Gates Foundation, the Swedish Government, Diageo, among others, ultimately design and build more sustainable and equitable value chains and market systems. Ariana grew up in Hong Kong before she moved to the United States to attend Syracuse University, where she triple-majored in Advertising Communications, Entrepreneurship, and Economics. She also attended Yale University for her MBA. She currently resides in Ethiopia.

Pandemic fatigue has sparked a surge of interest in outdoor recreation. The National Park Service is expecting one of their busiest years on record. As vacationers prepare to venture out for summer, what can they do to make the national park experience more enjoyable? Guests: Jenny Anzelmo-Sarles is the assistant director for communications and chief spokesperson at the National Park Service. Ashley D'Antonio is a recreation ecologist and assistant professor in the Department of Forest Ecosystems & Society at Oregon State University. 

Workers in a farm field along California State Route 1 in Nipomo, California, in San Luis Obispo County. (Photo: Wikipedia) 0:08 – On Saturday, two deputies were shot and expected to survive. But the aftermath has provided the platform for some LA county officials to scapegoat the BLM movement. Melina Abdullah (@DocMellyMel) is a professor and chair of Pan-African Studies at Cal State-LA. She is also co-founder of the LA chapter of Black Lives Matter. 0:34 – Author interview: Wendy Liu is a software developer and writer based in San Francisco. Her new book is Abolish Silicon Valley: How to Liberate Technology From Capitalism. 1:08 – The family of Breonna Taylor has accepted a $12 million settlement from Louisville, but the fight for justice continues. Derek Lindsey and Jill Franquelli are co-founders of Queers For Black Lives Matter, which is organizing a nationwide protest for justice for Breonna Taylor on Saturday, September 19. 1:21 – How are farmworkers coping through are harvests in the unprecedented, toxic smoke event and the COVID pandemic. Irene de Barraicua is the public relations manager with Lideres Campesinas, a grassroots, women-led organization coordinating statewide advocacy and support for farmworkers.  0:34 – What you need to know about the Oregon wildfires and climate change Meg Krawchuk is Associate Professor with the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society at Oregon State University, and part of the Landscape Fire and Conservation Science Research Group.  The post CA farmworkers confront heat, smoke and COVID pandemic through harvest; plus: Wendy Liu on her new book ‘Abolish Silicon Valley' appeared first on KPFA.

On this episode, Kaite is joined by Dr. Reem Hajjar, an Assistant Professor of Integrated Human and Ecological Systems in the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society at Oregon State University. She is an interdisciplinary social scientist, and studies the relationship between forests and livelihoods, and how various governance mechanisms and institutions (policies, norms, and markets) shape that relationship. Most of her work to-date has taken place in tropical and sub-tropical forests, with a recent extension into the Pacific Northwest of North America. Most recently, she's been working on projects related to community-based forest management in Mexico, global reviews on community forestry and small-scale forest enterprises, gendered impacts of land grabs in Ethiopia, impacts of forest policy changes in Ghana, and cattle sector certification in Brazil. Segment 1: Forestry Research [00:00-17:03] In this first segment, Reem describes the discipline of forestry. In this segment, the following resources are mentioned: FoLIAGe Research group website Rights and Resources Initiative Segment 2: Researching Internationally [17:04-34:51] In segment two, Reem shares about her international research and when she decides to expand to a new research site. In this segment, the following resources are mentioned: Articles on community forestry in Brazil and Mexico: Hajjar, R., McGrath, D. G., Kozak, R. A., & Innes, J.L. (2011). Framing community forestry challenges with a broader lens: Case studies from the Brazilian Amazon. Journal of Environmental Management, 92, 2159-2169. Hajjar, R., Kozak, R. A., & Innes, J. L. (2012). Is decentralization leading to “real” decision-making power for forest-dependent communities? Case studies from Mexico and Brazil. Ecology and Society, 17(1), 12. Hajjar, R., Kozak, R. A., El-Lakany, H., & Innes, J. L. (2013). Community forests for forest communities: Integrating community-defined goals and practices in the design of forestry initiatives. Land Use Policy, 34, 158-167. Secondary-level institutions in Mexico: Hajjar, R., & Kozak, R. A. (2017). The evolution of forest producer associations and their current role in REDD+: Case studies from Quintana Roo, Mexico. Land Use Policy, 60, 373-383. Work in Ghana: Hajjar, R. (2015). Advancing small-scale forestry under FLEGT and REDD in Ghana. Forest Policy and Economics, 58(2015), 12-20. Hajjar, R. (2015). Researching the possible and likely implications of Ghana’s REDD+ and VPA plans on land and tree tenure reform. Report to FERN. Non-extractive research in Peru: Vasquez-Fernandez, A. M., Hajjar, R., Shuñaqui Sangama, M. I., Lizardo, R. S., Pinedo, M. P., Innes, J. L., & Kozak, R. A. (2017). Co-creating and decolonizing a methodology using indigenist approaches: Alliance with the Asheninka and Yine-Yami peoples of the Peruvian Amazon. ACME An International Journal for Critical Geographies, 17(3). Visit Dr. Reem Hajjar's publications page to see more. Bonus Clip #1 [00:00-04:38]: Learning Multiple Languages Bonus Clip #2 [00:00-05:41]: Extractive vs. Relational Research To share feedback about this podcast episode, ask questions that could be featured in a future episode, or to share research-related resources, contact the “Research in Action” podcast: Twitter: @RIA_podcast or #RIA_podcast Email: riapodcast@oregonstate.edu Voicemail: 541-737-1111 If you listen to the podcast via iTunes, please consider leaving us a review. The views expressed by guests on the Research in Action podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Oregon State University Ecampus or Oregon State University.

On this episode, Katie is joined by Ian E. Munanura, Ph.D., an Assistant Professor in the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society at Oregon State University. He earned a Doctorate in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management at Clemson University in South Carolina. He also earned a Master of Science degree in Tourism and Wildlife Conservation from the University of Kent in the United Kingdom. He teaches courses on ecotourism and sustainable communities, sustainable tourism planning, and a study abroad course on international perspectives of ecotourism and political ecology. His scholarship seeks to identify the human resilience and wellbeing constraints, which could create livelihood vulnerability, human dependence on forest resources for livelihoods, and loss of biodiversity. He also seeks to identify the potential of community-based tourism to mitigate human resilience and wellbeing constraints, which could influence biodiversity loss. His geographical area of scholarship interest is the Pacific Northwest, Southeast Asia, and East Africa. Previously, Dr. Munanura has worked in Rwanda as a field project director and country director for the Wildlife Conservation Society. He also led a $5 million project funded by the US Agency for International Development in Rwanda, designed to integrate and promote sustainable tourism, biodiversity conservation, human health, and economic development. Segment 1: Ecotourism [00:00-12:37] In this first segment, Ian shares about his research on ecotourism. Segment 2: Researching Rural Communities [12:38-24:59] In segment two, Ian discusses what led him to research rural communities. Segment 3: International Perspectives [25:00-33:37] In segment three, Ian shares about his international education has impacted his research. In this segment, the following resources are mentioned: Travel Oregon Bonus Clip #1 [00:00-7:03]: Tourism as a Way to Strengthen Emotional Well Being and Resilience To share feedback about this podcast episode, ask questions that could be featured in a future episode, or to share research-related resources, contact the “Research in Action” podcast: Twitter: @RIA_podcast or #RIA_podcast Email: riapodcast@oregonstate.edu Voicemail: 541-737-1111 If you listen to the podcast via iTunes, please consider leaving us a review. The views expressed by guests on the Research in Action podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Oregon State University Ecampus or Oregon State University.

Dr. Jim Estes is Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of California at Santa Cruz. In addition, Jim is author of the book Serendipity: An Ecologist’s Quest to Understand Nature, and he is a contributing scientist in a new documentary film called The Serengeti Rules. Most of Jim’s career has been spent as a research scientist studying topics in ecology. He is interested in how nature works, and how species interact with one another and their physical environment. Specifically, Jim is working to better understand coastal marine ecosystems, kelp forests, and the kelp forest ecosystems in the North Pacific Ocean. One of Jim’s major passions outside of science is fly fishing. He also enjoys hiking, reading, writing, and spending time with friends. He received his bachelor’s degree in zoology from the University of Minnesota, his MS in biology from Washington State University, and his PhD in biology and statistics from the University of Arizona. For over 30 years, Jim worked as a research scientist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Geological Survey. He retired from his position there in 2007 to join the faculty at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Jim has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors over the course of his career, including the U.S. Geological Survey’s Schumaker Award for excellence in science communication, the Western Society of Naturalists’ Lifetime Achievement Award, and the American Society of Mammalogists’ C. Hart Merriam Award. Jim is also a Pew Fellow in Marine Conservation, a Fellow of the California Academy of Sciences, and a Member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. In our interview, Jim shares more about his life and research.

Our guest today is Jasmine Brown and she recently received the high honor of Society of American Foresters Diversity Scholar a year-long program. The Diversity Scholarship Program ensures that the Scholarship winners have a convention mentor and remain connected with that mentor during the remainder of the year. Here is her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasminekbrown/ Check out our video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lGFOnhB15_s Current Positions: Jasmine K. Brown is currently a Graduate Student at Oregon State University in the Forest Ecosystems and Society Program. Jasmine is also a US Forest Service Pathways Intern in Silviculture in Washington on the Umatilla National Forest. She is also a Society of American Foresters Diversity Scholarship Recipient and Diversity Ambassador. Education: As a Connecticut native, she received her Bachelor's degree in Natural Resources from the University of Connecticut. Jasmine also spent one year at Alabama A&M University through a student exchange program. Alabama A&M is the first and only Historically Black College and University (HBCU) with an SAF accredited forestry Bachelor's degree. Previous Jobs: Prior to returning to graduate school, Jasmine was a US Forest Service traveling Forest Technician for three years. This position involved traveling to a different national forest each month. Jasmine also has prior experience as a graduate teaching assistant for a forest biology course. Hobbies: CrossFit, forest walks, and journaling. Her goal in the world of social media: "#ChangeTheNarrative in Forestry and Natural Resources. For so long I have been told that “people like me” typically do not go into forestry. Each of my posts defy stereotypes about forestry and natural resource professionals. My posts also provide educational glimpses of my forestry career. I always consider my family as I share details about my job, internships, conferences and events. My decision to follow a career path in forestry, introduced my family to a career choice that they were previously unaware of. Therefore, I always view each of my posts as a way to expose my audience to a career choice that has be extremely fulfilling for me."-Jasmine Want to be featured? Schedule your interview with Talking Forests on this link: calendly.com/talkingforests Voice by Gordon Collier www.linkedin.com/in/jgordoncollier/ Spring by Ikson soundcloud.com/ikson Music promoted by Audio Library youtu.be/5WPnrvEMIdo --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/talkingforests/support

On this episode, Kaite is joined by Dr. Reem Hajjar, an Assistant Professor of Integrated Human and Ecological Systems in the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society at Oregon State University. She is an interdisciplinary social scientist, and studies the relationship between forests and livelihoods, and how various governance mechanisms and institutions (policies, norms, and markets) shape that relationship. Most of her work to-date has taken place in tropical and sub-tropical forests, with a recent extension into the Pacific Northwest of North America. Most recently, she's been working on projects related to community-based forest management in Mexico, global reviews on community forestry and small-scale forest enterprises, gendered impacts of land grabs in Ethiopia, impacts of forest policy changes in Ghana, and cattle sector certification in Brazil.  Segment 1: Forestry Research [00:00-17:03] In this first segment, Reem describes the discipline of forestry. Segment 2: Researching Internationally [17:04-34:51] In segment two, Reem shares about her international research and when she decides to expand to a new research site. Bonus Clip #1 [00:00-04:38]: Learning Multiple Languages Bonus Clip #2 [00:00-05:41]: Extractive vs. Relational Research To share feedback about this podcast episode, ask questions that could be featured in a future episode, or to share research-related resources, contact the “Research in Action” podcast: Twitter: @RIA_podcast or #RIA_podcast Email: riapodcast@oregonstate.edu Voicemail: 541-737-1111 If you listen to the podcast via iTunes, please consider leaving us a review. The views expressed by guests on the Research in Action podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Oregon State University Ecampus or Oregon State University.

On this episode, Katie is joined by Ian E. Munanura, Ph.D., an Assistant Professor in the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society at Oregon State University. He earned a Doctorate in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management at Clemson University in South Carolina. He also earned a Master of Science degree in Tourism and Wildlife Conservation from the University of Kent in the United Kingdom. He teaches courses on ecotourism and sustainable communities, sustainable tourism planning, and a study abroad course on international perspectives of ecotourism and political ecology. His scholarship seeks to identify the human resilience and wellbeing constraints, which could create livelihood vulnerability, human dependence on forest resources for livelihoods, and loss of biodiversity. He also seeks to identify the potential of community-based tourism to mitigate human resilience and wellbeing constraints, which could influence biodiversity loss. His geographical area of scholarship interest is the Pacific Northwest, Southeast Asia, and East Africa. Previously, Dr. Munanura has worked in Rwanda as a field project director and country director for the Wildlife Conservation Society. He also led a $5 million project funded by the US Agency for International Development in Rwanda, designed to integrate and promote sustainable tourism, biodiversity conservation, human health, and economic development.   Segment 1: Ecotourism [00:00-12:37] In this first segment, Ian shares about his research on ecotourism. Segment 2: Researching Rural Communities [12:38-24:59] In segment two, Ian discusses what led him to research rural communities. Segment 3: International Perspectives [25:00-33:37] In segment three, Ian shares about his international education has impacted his research. Bonus Clip #1 [00:00-7:03]: Tourism as a Way to Strengthen Emotional Well Being and Resilience To share feedback about this podcast episode, ask questions that could be featured in a future episode, or to share research-related resources, contact the “Research in Action” podcast: Twitter: @RIA_podcast or #RIA_podcast Email: riapodcast@oregonstate.edu Voicemail: 541-737-1111 If you listen to the podcast via iTunes, please consider leaving us a review. The views expressed by guests on the Research in Action podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Oregon State University Ecampus or Oregon State University.

We must demand rigorous ongoing and independent testing as to the effect of aerial 1080 drops on New Zealand’s wilderness, fauna and ecosystems. Clyde and brother Steve have won International Awards for their 1080 NZ documentary, Poisoning Paradise The movie Poisoning Paradise is about the aerial dispersal of 1080 throughout New Zealand in order to kill rodents, mustelids and possums. This poisoning now has become a highly controversial topic with conservationists, environmentalists, and members of the public. Clyde Graf and Steve were sons of Egon, a professional deer hunter, based in NZ’s Te Urewera National Park. In 1996, youngest son Steve went to Canada and videoed amazing wildlife footage. Returning to NZ he teamed up with his brother Clyde, and together they began to make The Graf Boys' videos. Since then, The Graf Boys have produced six hunting and outdoors DVD titles, and two documentaries. Their documentary, Poisoning Paradise, has won four international awards (England, Ireland, Japan, and Culture Unplugged online festival). See their YouTube Channel The Graf Boys. What is 1080? Sodium fluoroacetate, known in pesticide form as 1080, is the organofluorine chemical compound with the formula FCH₂CO₂Na. This colourless salt has a taste similar to that of sodium chloride and is used as a metabolic poison. 1080 is extremely toxic to all air-breathing organisms. It blocks the body’s muscle and organ's ability to absorb energy from its food, and results in a slow and inhumane death, typically 8 -24 hours for birds, 2-4 days for large mammals. There is no known antidote for this deadly poison. Not only is 1080 highly toxic to mammals, birds and insects- one scientist has even discovered that it is toxic to plants and so forests do not do so well after 1080 drops. Controversy The latter may be controversial, but in general 1080 and its effects on animals through primary and secondary poisoning, and on humans through water supplies, is not well researched, especially considering the huge amount of 1080 poison tipped from helicopters over our forests. If there are any unanswered questions about its use and the results, then more research must be undertaken, not only by DoC (Department of Conservation) but by independent scientists, preferably from overseas, to avoid any collusion. In this interview Clyde gives important information on the New Zealand government’s financial interest in 1080. New Zealand uses 80% of all 1080 used in the world. In fact it is banned in most countries overseas. 19 different native bird species have had corpses test positive for 1080 after aerial 1080 operations, however, it is known that the small sample size, and the lack of a control group needs highlighting. There is a need for long term population monitoring. These concerns are completely absent in DoC summaries. Bird Deaths Birds reported killed by 1080 poisoned cereal baits include morepork, weka, tomtits and grey warbler, and fauna known to eat cereal bait include kea, kaka, little spotted kiwi, kokako, saddleback, kakariki, pukeko, insects, koura and lizards. The number of possums in New Zealand was estimated at 47.6 million in the mid 1980’s. When possum control is taken into account, the number of possums has reduced to an estimated 30 million as of 2008/9. This is not a very large reduction when considering both the environmental and the financial cost of the large scale poisoning operations. In a Landcare Research document 2009 it states “Control of possums alone may not always have net benefits for native biodiversity because, for example, of the increase in rodent numbers, and hence predation on native animals, that can occur when possum numbers are reduced (Ruscoe et al. 2008).” This is important because once the ecosystem is no longer managing itself and is interfered with by humans, it no longer functions so effectively. “It takes one year for rat populations to come back to pre-poisoning levels. By the second year rat numbers were higher than before the operation”, Dr Ruscoe from Landcare said. Scientists warn that this paves the way to rat plagues. Poisoning from 1080 occurs through eating the dosed baits (cereal pellets) or from the flesh of poisoned animals. Carcasses remain poisonous until they are completely decomposed, which makes 1080 particularly lethal to dogs. Dog Deaths The Life Style Block (LSB) website states regarding dogs and 1080: “Dog owners should take particular care near areas where 1080 poison has been used as dogs are extremely susceptible to the poison. There is no antidote and it causes every appearance of extreme distress in dogs, and the signs can last for hours before the dog dies. It’s very distressing! Poisoned carcases can remain poisonous to scavenging dogs for many months if they have been preserved in very dry conditions.” Death from 1080 poisoning typically involves nausea, vomiting, convulsions, pain and foaming of the mouth, and can take anywhere from 1-72 hrs, depending on the species and the dose. From an animal rights perspective, we should not be allowing such an extremely painful death. Possums stoats and rats are not the only animals to die this way. Other wild and domestic animals become unintended kill, and it persists through the food chain. Animal rights organisation SAFE has concerns over 1080 use and calls it a “cruel and indiscriminate poison”. Do we as humans really have the right to kill sentient beings in such a gruelling manner? Drinking Water? Clyde is now involved in a new web site http://www.watersourcenz.org/ which will become live shortly ( if it isn’t already). On the home page it asks the question, “Do you drink bottled water sourced from New Zealand forests?” The question is relevant not only about bottled water but about water coming to us from such places as the Hunua dam in Auckland, which is fed from streams that have been in 1080 drop areas. Can we trust the DOC and health board information we are given when we know that government has financial conflicts of interest?  Listen to the interview for more on this. In 2010, Scientists Pat and Quinn Whiting-OKeefe presented to Taupo District Council on 1080. They included the following information: “First, there is not a single scientifically credible study showing that aerial 1080 when used on the mainland is of net benefit to any species of New Zealand’s native fauna. Thus the upside for native species is entirely unproven, despite 15 years of increasingly desperate attempts by DoC to show one. Second, there is overwhelming evidence from DoC’s own research that aerial 1080 is killing large numbers of native animals, including birds, insects and other invertebrates. Moreover most native species remain entirely unstudied. Thus there is plenty of proven downside for native species. Third, there is not a single ecosystem level study. That is, we don’t have the slightest idea of unintended consequences and secondary negative effects of which ecological science assures us there are many. Fourth, while it is probable that possums, if unchecked, would in time cause some shift of tree species in our forests, the degree of that shift is not great and fear of canopy collapse is wholly unwarranted. Fifth, DoC’s 1080 research is generally of poor scientific quality, is biased in favour of DoC’s agenda, and DoC chronically and systematically misrepresents what their own scientific research actually shows. Sixth, regarding bovine tuberculosis (TB), AHB’s own research shows that there is a clear alternative: ground-based baiting with species-specific bait stations. Plus possums as a vector for bovine TB can be controlled by trapping or ground-based baiting solely at the forest pasture margins to a depth of 3-4 km.” Clyde points out that New Zealand is classed as being free from TB, and that only 50 possums have ever been found to have been infected with TB. The Whiting-O’Keefe’s two retired PhD scientists from the USA were interviewed about the problems of 1080 by GreenplanetFM.com - in 2010. Alternative Strategy In an article in The Otago Daily Times, rheumatology professor and keen tramper Fiona McQueen gives a solution to New Zealand’s pests, after being shocked at what was seen in Fiordland. “An alternative strategy would be to incentivise possum trapping, boosting the fur industry and relieving unemployment in areas such as the West Coast. This could be achieved without the grim reality of ‘‘by-kill'' and allow our international ‘‘clean and green'' image to regain some credibility.” This interview with Clyde Graf was sponsored by The Awareness Party

Energy: A New Take on Wood and Water In this double-header, Simon Love interviews two companies implementing innovative sustainable energy technologies.  The episode touches on sustainable projects in urban versus rural environments,how to work with local government and communities, and where these technologies are headed. First up is Bill Kelly from Lucid Energy, a startup that is creating usable energy from gravity-fed water systems. Bill opens up about the realities of innovating in a tightly-regulated environment. Bill shares his tips for innovators in the clean tech space.   Then we hear from Andrew Haden and Meagan Nuss from Wisewood, a company bringing biomass heating systems to the Western USA. Andrew and Meagan discuss one project in particular, in rural Harney County, where a biomass boiler will use local juniper wood to heat community buildings. Not only is it a system using local renewable resources, but the energy system will eventually be owned by the community in the form of a co-op.   In this episode you’ll learn How Lucid Energy’s turbine system captures energy in water pipes that is normally wasted. How the new turbine replaces a wasteful system of valves Why it can be tough for a ‘no-brainer’ technology to make it to market How innovative projects proceed when there are many stakeholders involved Bill Kelly’s advice for innovators in clean tech How Lucid Energy is prepared for a future that involves both distributed energy in rural areas and grids in concentrated urban areas. The story behind Wisewood, and how it can be economical to ship wood pellets from BritishColumbia to Stockholm but not to use them locally. How biomass energy and forest restoration  are so closely tied together. How cheap hydroelectric power and natural gas prevent biomass projects from happening,despite the need for material to be removed from forests for forest health. How a small town in Oregon is replacing a diesel boiler with a district energy scheme using local juniper wood How something as simple as a wood-fueled boiler can actually be very empowering for rural communities. Links Lucid Energy   Wisewood     Guests Bill Kelly, Chief Operating Officer, Lucid Energy Bill Kelly is a veteran leader with a broad range of experience working with utilities, technology companies and investors in the water sector. He is the former President of Isle Utilities and was the firstU.S.-based employee. He was responsible for establishing the growing Isle Inc. Company presence inNorth America and facilitated and grew their Technology Approval Group (TAG), an innovation forum that brings new step change technologies to the municipal water and wastewater sector. Bill has also served as as a senior advisor at SkyH20 and Clean Power Capital. Bill earned a Bachelor of Arts inInformation and Communications Studies from California State University-Chico. Andrew Haden, Founder and President, Wisewood Andrew is the Founder of Wisewood, Inc. and has over 12 years of experience working in the biomass sector.  Andrew has led the development and implementation of multiple biomass energy projects through complete cycles of feasibility assessment, engineering, construction, commissioning and ongoing operations support. He leads the design component of all Wisewood energy projects. Prior to founding Wisewood, Andrew worked at Bear Mountain Forest Products and Ecotrust. Andrew is an expert on the regional biomass industry and has an MS in Rural Development from the SwedishUniversity of Agricultural Sciences and a BA in Sustainable Agriculture from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. Meagan Nuss, Project Development Coordinator, Wisewood Meagan is Wise wood’s Project Development Coordinator. She works closely with community partners to move projects forward and respond to client needs, and also investigates biomass supply opportunities across Wisewood’s project areas. Meagan specializes in biomass energy and has a background in forest management, fire ecology, and forest collaborative groups. She is experienced as a volunteer mediator and facilitator, and brings these skills to her interactions with prospective biomass energy clients. Prior to coming to Wisewood, Meagan worked for Northwest Natural Resource Group, the Forest Guild, andGreenWood Resources. Meagan has an MS in Forest Ecosystems and Society from Oregon StateUniversity, and a BA in Environmental Studies from Lewis & Clark College.

Dr. Suzanne Simard is a Professor in the Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences at the University of British Columbia. She received her PhD in Forest Sciences from Oregon State University and she worked as a research scientist at the British Columbia Ministry of Forests before joining the faculty at UBC. Suzanne's research has been widely featured by media venues, including CBC TV, Black Forests Productions, PBS Nature, NPR, TED-Ed, and the New Yorker. She is also a recipient of the UBC Killam Teaching Award. Suzanne is with us today to tell us all about her journey through life and science.