Andy Bach and Mitch Friedman to Discuss the Ozette Prairies and Washington's Carnivores Feb. 10 and 11 on Campus

Western Washington University's Huxley College of the Environment will host Andy Bach and Mitch Friedman on Feb. 10 and 11 on campus for presentations on the Ozette Prairies and Washington's carnivores; both are free and open to the public.

WWU Associate Professor of Environmental Studies Andy Bach will discuss his research exploring the relationship between historical vegetation changes in the Ozette Prairies, Olympic National Park, and human use of this region from 4-5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 10 in the Map Collection (Wilson Library 170) on campus.

His presentation, co-sponsored by the Western Libraries, is titled “Archival Evidence for Historical Changes in Lowland Wilderness Meadows, Ozette Prairies, Olympic National Park."

Using a multi-media archival approach to understand the environmental history of the area, examining repeat air and ground photography, maps, and written records, Bach determined that the prairies originally began as natural wetlands before fire was used by indigenous peoples and European settlers to expand and maintain them. Later, in the absence of disturbance, they eventually began to revert to forest cover.

Bach’s research combines the use of historical maps with field methods of soil science, ecology, and geomorphology, to understand how natural landscapes of Washington have changed over time.

This event is being offered as part of the “Speaking of Maps” lectures, and is co-sponsored by Western Libraries and WWU’s Huxley College of the Environment. “Speaking of Maps” are quarterly talks designed to highlight the use and value of maps in research, in teaching and learning, and in daily life.

Mitch Friedman of Conservation Northwest will discuss Washington's carnivore populations as part of the Western’s Huxley College of the Environment Speaker Series at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11 in Communications Facility 110 on campus.

Friedman, Conservation Northwest’s executive director, will discuss Washington’s carnivore population, including gray wolves, wolverines, fishers (see photo above), lynx and grizzly bears. He will also highlight the types of conservation efforts being used to recover these species to healthy and viable levels.

Since 1989, Friedman has served at the helm of Conservation Northwest, an organization dedicated to creative conservation. A founding board member of The Wildlands Network, Western Lands Alliance, and the Bellingham Bay Foundation, Friedman earned a degree in Zoology from the University of Washington and is the father of two.

The presentation will include a question-and-answer period. Anyone interested in the topic is encouraged to attend and participate.

The Huxley College Speaker Series, sponsored by Western’s Huxley College of the Environment, is intended to bring together environmentally-minded members of the WWU and Bellingham communities. Speakers address topics of contemporary environmental concern in the region and the world.

Western’s Huxley College of the Environment is one of the oldest environmental colleges in the nation and a recognized leader in producing the next generation of environmental professionals and stewards. Huxley’s distinctive, interdisciplinary curriculum reflects a broad view of the physical, biological, social, and cultural world, and has earned international recognition for quality.

For more information, please contact Jen VanderWeyden, Western’s Huxley College of the Environment marketing coordinator, at (360) 650-2554 or Jen.VanderWeyden@wwu.edu. For more information on other “Speaking of Maps” events, email mapcollection@wwu.edu or contact Dennis Matthews, Western’s Map Collection manager, at (360) 650-3272 or dennis.matthews@wwu.edu.