Science Pub Talk on Sea Otters

Sea Otter.\Photo by Joe Platko.

The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry's Science Pub Talk on Tuesday, June 21 in Portland will focus on sea otters and their possible restoration.  The free event (aside from what you spend on food and drink) takes place beginning at 7 p.m. at the McMenamins Kennedy School (5736 N.E. 33^rd Ave.).

Principal speaker is Chanel Hason, Director of Outreach and Community Relations for the Elakha Alliance, which works to build a case for restoring sea otters to Oregon’s coastal environment.  (Oregon Shores has several connections here.  We were one of the founding members of the Alliance—Bob Bailey, the organization’s president was an Oregon Shores board member at the time he put the organization together, and Oregon Shores’ executive director serves on its advisory committee.  Plus, Chanel Hason was formerly our communications manager.)

Hason will highlight why sea otters are a keystone species in the nearshore marine ecosystem, and how their presence can be helpful in responding to climate change. There will also be a discussion of the current status of sea otters returning to Oregon, with a summary from Bob Bailey regarding the results from the Elakha Alliance’s recently published Feasibility Study.

The talk can also be attended online.  To register, go here.