(Photos above: Daphne Stone and Rick Hopkins | courtesy of Deschutes Land Trust)
The Deschutes Land Trust announced its winter Nature Nights series. From salmon and steelhead to lichen to cougars, the Land Trust is offering free, monthly presentations on nature-related topics given by experts in their field.
Presentations
February 24: Lichens—The extreme fungi
7-8:30pm, The Tower Theatre in Bend
Have you ever wondered what the neon tufts growing on our local junipers are? Then, join us for an illuminating evening about lichens! That neon green is actually a lichen: a fungus growing together with an alga to make a specialized growth form. Lichenologist Daphne Stone will take us on a tour of lichens: what they are, how they survive in diverse and often extreme habitats, and how they are different from other fungi. Then we will take a tour of interesting lichens around the Pacific Northwest, including lush lichens in coastal Oregon, lichens that fix nitrogen from the air in the Cascades, brilliant crustose lichens on rocks in dry areas, and delicate soil crust lichens that protect the deserts of eastern Oregon. This presentation is free and tickets sales open one month prior to the event.
March 30: Cougar Conservation in the 21st Century
7-8:30pm, The Tower Theatre in Bend
Our relationship with predators, particularly large predators, is driven by a fascination and curiosity that is primal. Cougars are one such species where human/predator interactions seem dramatic, but are nonetheless extremely rare. Join biologist Rick Hopkins to learn more about cougars and the conservation efforts needed to provide both habitat and connectivity for the species. Rick will explore the biology and ecology of cougars, the history of predator management and conservation including myths that are often perpetuated, and suggest a framework for modernizing predator management that promotes conservation. This presentation is free and ticket sales open one month prior to the event.
Many thanks to the Old Mill District for their support of Nature Nights. Nature Nights are free, but a ticket is required. Please register online: deschuteslandtrust.org
