Talk on Rainforests and Climate

Old growth and the Oregon Coast Trail.\Photo by Rena Olson.

A presentation on the role of forests in addressing climate problems will kick off the MidCoast Watersheds Council’s “From Ridgetop to Reef” series of “carbon speakers.”  Dominick DellaSala will speak on “Can Rainforests Save the Climate?” on Thursday, Jan 9, 6:30 pm. at the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center (333 S.E. Bay Blvd.) in Newport.

Dr. DellaSala is President and Chief Scientist of the Geos Institute, based in Ashland, Oregon, and former President of the Society for Conservation Biology, North America Section. He is an internationally renowned author of over 200 science papers on forest and fire ecology, conservation biology, endangered species management, and landscape ecology, as well as the book Temperate and Boreal Rainforests of the World: Ecology and Conservation.  He is currently serving on the Oregon’s Global Warming Commission Subcommittee on Forest Carbon. and is Editor of numerous scientific journals and publications. DellaSala co-founded the Geos Institute in July, 2006, motivated “to leave a living planet for my two daughters, two grandkids and all those that follow.”

In his talk, DellaSalla will discuss the global importance of unlogged forests—especially rainforests—as natural climate solutions and what can be done to stabilize the global climate through forestry reforms.

Each month through June, “From Ridgetop to Reef” will explore the potential of the Oregon Coast’s natural and managed lands to store carbon, and the tools and incentives needed to foster widespread actions for these habitats. Following the presentations, the MidCoast Watersheds Council regular Board meeting will take place.

For more information, contact Ari Blatt, (541) 265-9195, ari@midcoastwc.org.