Talk on Forest Toxicology

Helicopter spraying chemicals on the forest.\Photo courtesy of OFRI.

The North Coast Communities for Watershed Protection group sponsors a “Speaking Truth to Power” speaker series.  The presenter for the first of these events in 2020 will be Deke Gunderson, a professor of environmental science at Pacific University and expert on toxicology.  He will speak on Saturday, Feb. 29, from 3-5 p.m. at St. Mary by the Sea (275 S. Pacific St.) in Rockaway Beach.  The event is free and open to all.  Those attending are encouraged to bring snacks to share.

Dr. Gunderson has been a volunteer toxicology consultant to North Coast Communities.  He is very knowledgeable about the chemicals used by the timber industry and the consequent health risks to fish, other animals, and people.  Gunderson has been called as an expert witness in court proceedings regarding these chemicals.  In February, he may be an expert witness for the defense in the trial of Ken Ward, who turned off the valve to the pipeline that brings tar sands oil down to the U.S. from Canada. 

For more information, contact Betsy McMahon, the meeting’s facilitator, betmcmahon@yahoo.com.