State of the Coast Conference

The annual State of the Coast Conference, which brings together scientists, conservationists, representatives of coastal industries, and interested citizens to learn the latest about coastal and marine research and concerns, is coming up on Saturday, Oct. 27, at Southwestern Oregon Community College in Coos Bay.  Start time is 8:30 a.m., with registration beginning earlier).  The presentations wind up at 3:45 p.m., to be followed by a reception.

The theme of this year’s conference is “The Coast through Your Senses.”

Keynote speaker is science writer Sam Kean, whose work utilizes funny, strange, and poignant stories to enliven science and science history. In keeping with the conference them, he will discuss how the brain works, using examples from the natural world to demonstrate how our senses work together and how memory is processed in the brain. In addition to authoring four books, his stories have appeared in The Best American Science and Nature Writing, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The New York Times Magazine, Slate, and Psychology Today, and his work has been featured on NPR’s “Radiolab”, “Science Friday”, and “All Things Considered”. Caesar’s Last Breath was named the Guardian science book of the year in 2017.

During the plenary session, quick snapshots and updates will cover everything from eelgrass and hagfish, to microplastics and ocean acidification, to wave energy and coastal management.  There will also be breakout sessions that will go into more detail on various subjects.

In addition to Sea Grant, sponsors include the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, OSU College of Liberal Arts, OSU Marine Studies Initiative, the Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission, and the Oregon Chapter of the American Fisheries Society.

Conference cost is $40 general admission, $25 for students, and includes lunch, snacks, and the reception.  To register, go here.