...........................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................................
May 10, 2012 4:30-5:30
pm
Nature
Kids (Grades 2/3): Awesome Osprey
Straub Environmental
Learning Center
This awesome bird is at the top of the
food chain in a stream ecosystem. Learn about the special hunting
tools with which ospreys are equipped. Find out how to identify an
osprey and discover the differences between ospreys and bald eagles.
Space is limited, please register your student with Alexandra at
503-391-4145 or
fselc@fselc.org.
May 10, 2012,
7:00-8:00 pm
Amateur
Naturalist:
Nature
Journaling
Straub Environmental
Learning Center
Aldo Leopold and E.O.
Wilson had to start somewhere... and you can too! Join
Willamette professor Jennifer Johns and renowned artist
Aislinn Adams for this Amateur Naturalist introduction
to nature journaling. Aislinn Adams will guide
participants through drawing basics, journal materials,
and getting started as a nature journalist. Jennifer
Johns will guide us through the role of painting
pictures with words. Participants will do various
exercises to understand the power of words and pictures
in conveying information to others, and will be guided
on their way to becoming a skilled nature journalist! Class is $5, and RSVP
required. Please RSVP to
fselc@fselc.org or call (503)391-4145.
May 15, 2012, Midnight
Summer
Camp Applications Due!
Straub Environmental
Learning Center
The Straub Center offers a week-long nature day camp for students
entering 4th/5th grades and 6th/7th/8th grades. Students learn
first-hand about ecology, forest systems, and watersheds through
hands-on activities and field trips throughout the Willamette Valley
and Coast Range. Camps are offered completely free for attendees but
space is limited! Application information and camp dates can be
found
here.
May 16, 2012 6:30-8:30
pm
On the
Grid: Natural Gas with Michael Thompson
Straub Environmental
Learning Center
On the Grid, On the Ground
is a series of classes offered by FSELC that parallels
Scott Huler's book, On the Grid. Each enlightening class
explores a different face of the taken-for-granted
infrastructure of our daily lives - drinking water,
wastewater, storm water, telecommunications, energy,
transportation, and garbage. The second of the two May
courses is on Natural Gas with, Michael Thompson.
Thompson is the head of natural gas pipeline safety at
the Oregon Public Utility Commission. The sessions will
cover how natural gas is used in Oregon, the process of
obtaining and transmitting natural gas, natural gas
storage facilities, and the basics of pipeline safety.
All classes in the series are scheduled from
6:30-8:30 pm at the Straub Environmental Learning Center. Certain
infrastructure systems will have a one-day fieldtrip during the
month that infrastructure is highlighted. Scheduling will be
announced during the series. Class fee is $5, or $35 for the whole series. RSVP is required. To
register, contact FSELC at (503)391-4145 or
fselc@fselc.org.
May 17, 2012
4:30-5:30 pm
Nature
Kids (Grades 4/5):
Awesome
Osprey
Straub Environmental
Learning Center
This awesome bird is at the top of the food chain in
a stream ecosystem. Learn about the special hunting tools with which
ospreys are equipped. Find out how to identify an osprey and
discover the differences between ospreys and bald eagles. Space is limited, please register
your student with Alexandra at 503-391-4145 or
fselc@fselc.org.
May 17, 2012
6:30-8:30
Climate
Change Series: Kickoff with Bill Bradbury
Straub Environmental
Learning Center
Northwest Power and
Conservation Council member and former Oregon Secretary
of State Bill Bradbury will talk about the impacts of
global warming and what we can do about it. Bradbury has
made presentations around the state discussing how
individuals, businesses, schools and other organizations
can be a part of the solution. In preparation, Bradbury
took part in rigorous training in Tennessee led by
former Vice President Gore, renowned scientists and
environmental educators. The training covered the
science of climate change, its impacts, and what can be
done to reduce the greenhouse gases that are changing
the climate. The talk is the first of six talks about
climate change offered by the Friends of Straub
Environmental Learning Center. Other classes will cover
home energy use, transportation, renewable energy and
resources, the food system, and consumption and waste.
The talk costs $5 and is open to the public.
Registration required. To register, call 503-391-4145 or
email
fselc@fselc.org
May 24, 2012
7:00-8:00 pm
Lecture
Series:
John Bolte
- Willamette Water 2100: Anticipating Water Scarcity and
Informing Integrative Water Sustem Response in the
Pacific Northwest
Loucks Auditorium, Salem
Public Library
Our last lecture of the
2011-2012 Lecture Series brings OSU biological and
ecological engineer John Bolte, who will discuss his
involvement in the Willamette Water 2100 Project.
Willamette Water 2100 is evaluation how climate change,
population growth, and economic growth will alter the
availability and use of water in the Willamette River
Basin on a decadal to centennial timescale. Bolte is the
developer of "Envision," the modeling package that
develops 'future scenarios' and serves as a means to ask
what-if questions for different policy alternatives
regarding water management in the Willamette water
system. He'll discuss some of the modeling and mapping
aspects of the project and the future scenarios that
Envision has developed thus far. Presentation is free and
open to the public - no RSVP required!
May 26, 7:00am - 5:00
pm
Straub
Nature Walk Series: Dog Mountain
We're partnering with the
Willamette Valley Chapter of the Native Plant Society to
host these once-monthly nature walks for folks of all
ages and skill levels. Interested in learning more about
native wildflowers in Oregon? Hoping to discover some
new hiking trails? Then this free series is for you!
The May hike takes us to Dog Mountain, where
participants participate in an all-day adventure to view
wildflowers on the Washington side of the Columbia
Gorge. John Savage of the Willamette Chapter of the
Native Plant Society will lead the hike. This is a
difficult hike. Bring lunch and water. Free and open to
the public. To register, call 503-399-8615 after 7
pm.
May 31, 2012, 5:00 pm
Family
Nature Retreat Registration Closes
Straub Environmental
Learning Center
Friends of Straub Environmental Learning Center
invites you to join us for a relaxing weekend on the Coast Range and
some quality outdoor time with your family at Drift Creek Camp!
We'll enjoy hikes and activities throughout the old growth forests, and
learn from professional naturalists as we explore the trails and
enjoy the beautiful forests! We're excited to be hosting our 3rd annual Family
Nature Retreat at Drift Creek Camp. This year's activities
include nature photography classes, wildflower hikes, worms and
composting sessions, and bird activities. Of course, attendees will
also have a chance to float the creek, sing campfire songs, and
enjoy the beauty that is Drift Creek Camp. For more information,
click here.
