BEND, OR -- Nationally recognized climate change researchers will be in Bend, later this month. Dr. Dave Peterson is a Senior Research Biologist with the Forest Service's Pacific Northwest Research Station, and Dr. Jessica Halofsky is a Research Ecologist with the University of Washington's School of Environmental and Forest Sciences.
Jean Nelson Dean, with the Deschutes National Forest, explains what they’re investigating: "What they’re looking at is assessing the impacts that we’re starting to see from climate change. And then, what kind of adaptation strategies can we do to keep our forests healthy."
Doctors Peterson and Halofsky will discuss their studies at a COCC's Willie Hall on Monday, March 14 at 6 p.m. Nelson Dean says the presentation is a unique opportunity for the public to get involved in the conversation. "People talk about climate change at really high levels. So, to bring it down to saying ‘what’s happening on our national forests and our lands here in south central Oregon?’ It would be great for the public to come and be able to come and ask questions, but also have a public discussion about what does this mean for our land here?"
They’ll also share their findings with other researchers and land managers at a workshop in Redmond on March 15 and 16. Find more details on the Bend and Redmond climate change events, HERE.
Thresearch is part of the work done by a collaborative effort through the South-Central Oregon Adaptation Partnership (SCOAP).
